Malaysia's Pardons Board, headed by the King, will review jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak's royal pardon application on Friday, just a week after deferring the decision, according to people familiar with the matter. The Straits Times reported the decision to reconvene so quickly is highly unusual, with Najib's application expected as the sole agenda item. The board previously deferred the matter on Sept. 11, coinciding with the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) general assembly where President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed disappointment and appealed for a favorable outcome, citing Najib's enduring popularity.

Any royal intervention risks deepening divisions between UMNO and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan alliance, which rose on public anger over the 1MDB scandal. Pakatan Harapan stated last week that those convicted of corruption in high-profile cases should serve full sentences. Najib, imprisoned since August 2022, was ousted in 2018 over the multibillion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal. In early 2024, then-King Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah halved his 12-year sentence and reduced fines, also issuing a supplementary order for house arrest later rejected by a court. Najib faces a further 15-year sentence and an 11.4 billion ringgit ($2.8 billion) fine on 25 abuse of power and money laundering charges, both under appeal.