The decision allowing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest could ease some pressure within Umno, but may also create new sensitivities within Pakatan Harapan (PH), an analyst said.
Senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Seremban’s Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy, Dr Mazlan Che Soh, said Najib’s case carried strong symbolic and emotional significance within Umno.
“In my view, the decision could ease some of the pressure within Umno because the Najib issue has strong symbolic and emotional value for the party.
“At the same time, it could create new sensitivities within PH, particularly among supporters who emphasise integrity, reform and the rule of law,” he said when contacted today.
Yesterday, the Federal Territories Pardons Board granted Najib a conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to a RM50 million fine. The decision was made at the board’s 64th meeting.
Najib, 73, has been serving his prison sentence at Kajang Prison since Aug 23, 2022, following his conviction in the SRC International case.
Mazlan said the political impact of the decision would depend largely on how Umno and PH managed their differing positions without allowing the issue to develop into an open conflict within the government.
“The decision may give Umno some political space and boost confidence among its grassroots, but it does not necessarily alter the balance of power within the Unity Government in any major way.
“Umno’s bargaining power still depends largely on its political position in the government, its ability to maintain support and its shared interests with PH.
“So, I see it more as a boost to Umno’s internal morale and political standing rather than a drastic change in the government’s power structure,” he said.
On the possibility of renewed pressure on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Mazlan said this could arise particularly among some PH supporters who viewed the issue through the lens of reform and integrity.
He said Anwar’s challenge would be to explain the distinction between the constitutional pardon process and the government’s position on corruption and abuse of power.
The government has said the conditional pardon falls within the King’s constitutional powers, while Anwar has maintained that ongoing corruption cases involving Najib will continue to be dealt with according to the law.
Mazlan said the decision would also test the relationship between Anwar and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as well as cooperation between PH and Barisan Nasional (BN) ahead of the 16th General Election.
“I see it more as a test of both leaders’ ability to manage differences within the coalition.
“PH and BN do not necessarily have to share the same views on every issue, but the stability of their relationship depends on their ability to distinguish party positions from their shared responsibilities in government,” he said.
He said keeping specific political issues separate from the day-to-day administration of the government would be important in maintaining cooperation between the two coalitions.
Asked whether the Najib issue would continue to influence the survival of the Unity Government, Mazlan said it carried political significance, particularly for Umno and some PH supporters, but should not be viewed as the sole factor determining the government’s longevity.
“Moreover, this house arrest decision only concerns the remainder of his sentence in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case, while Najib is still facing other legal proceedings,” he said.
“In the longer term, the stability of the government will be influenced more by economic performance, policy delivery, the reform agenda and the ability of parties within the government to manage internal differences,” he said.
