DEPUTY Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says he hopes former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak will be given a Royal Pardon.

The Umno president said Najib had already served three years in prison and deserves to be considered for a full pardon.

However, Ahmad Zahid urged patience and to allow the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who chairs the Federal Territories Pardons Board, to make the decision.

“When the Pardons Board is called to decide on Najib, we are confident that the King, as a fair and compassionate ruler, will give proper consideration,’ he said, adding that the sentence was not just for punishment but also corrective.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, said this during the Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party annual general assembly in The Light Hotel on Sunday (Dec 21) in Butterworth, today.

Describing himself as a “true friend” of Najib, said he would continue to advocate for the former prime minister.

“I sincerely hope and pray that Datuk Seri Najib will be granted a pardon in the near future,” he said.