Kuala lumpur: UMNO hopes the Pardons Board's decision on former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will give the party added momentum ahead of the Melaka state election. Its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the development could have a positive impact on UMNO as it navigates the country's current political landscape.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, granted Najib a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, subject to the payment of a RM50 million fine. The Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister's Department said the decision was made at the 64th meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya at Istana Negara today.

On preparations for the state election, Ahmad Zahid said he had given Melaka Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh the mandate to hold discussions with any political coalition. He emphasized that Melaka BN would submit its list of candidates for consideration, with the candidates to be assessed based on reports from various quarters, while state assemblymen who had performed well would be retained where possible.

Ahmad Zahid highlighted the adherence to the WALI principle of having 'winnable, acceptable, and likeable' candidates, ensuring that winnability will favour the blue wave currently sweeping across the country, which began in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.