KUALA LUMPUR: Ex-Umno leader Isham Jalil, who was sacked from the party, said its current leaders should push for the Home Ministry to put Datuk Seri Najib Razak under house arrest first if they are serious about obtaining the former prime minister's release from prison.
In a video, Isham told Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi to stop with the smoke and mirrors, and instead reach out to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution if he wanted to help Najib.
"Puad said the results of the Pardons Board had blunted Umno's weapon of revival, but he only said this after the results came out.
"Why are you covering yourself by saying this? Back then, when you wanted Najib to be pardoned, they (the government) wouldn't allow it.
"But Umno is in the government now when the Pardons Board results came out and Najib still did not get his full pardon. You are playing with smoke and mirrors."
Isham said he had previously suggested that Najib be put under house arrest pending the results of the Pardons Board.
He said that for Najib to be placed under house arrest, he need not go to the Pardons Board as it is within the jurisdiction of the government under the Home Ministry.
As such, he said Puad should go to Saifuddin to discuss the matter and get the prime minister to sign off on it.
Puad on Friday claimed there were certain parties who did not want Najib to receive a full pardon.
(https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/02/1009102/hurtful-najib-not-rec...)
The Pardons Board on Friday halved Najib's 12-year jail term to six years.
Najib was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million after being found guilty of abuse of power, breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd.