UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the party Supreme Council will be seeking an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to present an application to consider a royal pardon for former prime minister Najib Razak.

Announcing it during the breaking fast at the World Trade Center today, he says it will be done soon.

Secretary-General Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said this was unanimously agreed by party supreme council members at a meeting on Friday (April 7) to request the King to consider pardoning Najib, as provided under Article 42(1) of the Constitution.

“The Umno supreme council unanimously agreed to seek an audience to present an appeal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as well as a memorandum signed by 191 divisions, including the Women’s, Puteri and Youth wings,” said Asyraf in a statement on Friday (April 7).

Asyraf said the Umno supreme council is aware that many party grassroots leaders were saddened by the Federal Court’s decision to dismiss Najib’s bid for leave to review his conviction and sentence in the RM42mil SRC International Sdn Bhd case.

“It is a decision that is seen as unfair and this is in line with remarks of Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdul Rahman Sebli, who chaired the five-member bench of the Federal Court and said Najib did not receive a fair trial and he should be released and acquitted,” said Asyraf.

He also said the Umno supreme council received a memorandum by 191 divisions, including the Women’s, Youth and Puteri wings, who are urging the Umno leadership to defend Najib, saying that the former premier had contributed much to the nation.