KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak's application for a royal pardon in his SRC International case, if granted, will not only have major implications, but also raises fundamental questions, says Khairy Jamaluddin.
The former Rembau member of parliament and former health minister was speaking in one episode of his "Keluar Sekejap" talkshow with co-host Shahril Sufian Hamdan, who is former Umno information chief.
"Whatever decision is being made (on Najib's application for pardon), it will provide major implications. This is because Najib still has an ongoing case.
"So that will also complicate the pardon (board's) decision. You can pardon him for the SRC (International) case since he has exhausted every avenue for appeal. But, there are other 1MDB cases ongoing...
"What do you do then? Is it a package of pardon plus DNAA (discharge not amounting acquittal)? That I do not know. However, this raises fundamental questions."
"I do not want to discuss at great length the pardon since there are different interpretations about the decision of the monarch.
"In the granting of a pardon, will the monarch be bound by the advice of the (Pardons) Board? Can the monarch exercise absolute discretion in dispensing the pardon?
"This is because a pardon is no longer the court of law. It is a court of mercy," he said.
Khairy and Shahril also discussed speculation that Najib would have his sentence reduced.
"There was also an interpretation that the pardon was applied (by Najib) to have his sentence reduced. So, that is also a new territory," said Shahril.
Khairy added: "There is pardon. But this is academic until an announcement is made."
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa recently said the Pardons Board is expected to release an official statement this week regarding Datuk Seri Najib Razak's application for a royal pardon.
Najib is seeking a pardon from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for his conviction in the SRC International case, which he was sentenced to 12 years' jail and fined RM210 million.
The 70-year-old former Pekan MP is still facing four charges of abusing his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion of 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.