KUALA LUMPUR: The country's progress in halting the decline of the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) could be undone by the decision to reduce former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's sentence, says Ramkarpal Singh.
The Bukit Gelugor member of Parliament said the move would hamper the government's war against corruption as Najib was not only convicted by a total of nine judges but also labelled a "national embarrassment" by a Federal Court judge.
The DAP leader called on the Pardons Board to explain its rationale for reducing the sentence imposed on Najib, who was now serving time in jail.
"The findings of guilt against him in this case are beyond doubt. The situation was further compounded by the fact that Najib committed the offences when he was head of government, with utter disregard for the consequences of his actions to the nation and her people.
"A punishment of six years and a RM50 million fine is certainly inadequate given the gravity of Najib's crime.
"As the matter is one of public interest, I urge the Pardon's Board to explain the reasons for their decision forthwith as a failure to do so will fuel speculation that the decision was unjustified," he said in a statement today.
Yesterday, the Federal Territories Pardons Board announced that Najib's prison sentence will be reduced by half while his fine will be cut from RM210 million to RM50 million.
The decision meant Najib, who began serving his prison term in August 2022, would be released by 2028.
On Tuesday, Malaysia rose to 57th in the 2023 CPI, ending three straight years of decline on the global corruption ladder.