Khairul Dzaimee Daud, the director-general of the legal affairs division in the Prime Minister’s Department, said Najib’s application will be considered “at the right time” in accordance with existing laws.

His statement today came amid a war of words among leaders of several parties on whether Najib should be pardoned over his conviction and sentence in connection with his SRC International corruption case.

Pakatan Harapan leaders such as Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim, DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang and Amanah communications director Khalid Samad have opposed Najib’s pardon, drawing angry comments from Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi and Kelantan Umno.

Zahid said the matter should be left to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as he has the prerogative to decide on a pardon. He said he does not welcome “inappropriate comments” coming from Umno’s partners in the unity government.

On Sunday, Kelantan Umno demanded that Khalid retract his statement and apologise publicly. It also threatened to not work with Amanah should the former Shah Alam MP refuse to heed its demands.

Khalid has since apologised, but said both parties “should agree to disagree” on the royal pardon issue.

Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub also apologised on behalf of Khalid, saying that Khalid’s view was “strictly personal” and did not reflect the party’s stance.

Najib was jailed for 12 years and fined RM210 million after being convicted of charges of abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust over SRC International funds amounting to RM42 million.

We are live on Telegram, subscribe here for breaking news and the latest announcements.