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Malaysian group Pertubuhan Sahabat Ulul Amri Malaysia (PSUAM) petitioned the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Malaysia's king) to grant a royal pardon to former prime minister Najib Razak, reported Malaysiakini.

Najib was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison in July 2020, but is appealing his conviction.

PSUAM, which translates into "Friends of the Authorities Association", also wants Najib to be the next prime minister on an interim basis.

The chairman of the group, Syed Muhammad Imran, reportedly said that it is "an opportunity to save Malaysia", and that Najib fulfils two criteria -- having the king's trust and experience in leading the country.

Not the first time PSUAM has supported Najib

PSUAM has publicly expressed support for Najib on multiple occasions, including when he was still serving as Prime Minister.

The group also lodged a police report over a video that allegedly "humiliated and defamed" Najib in April 2018, as per Radio Televisyen Malaysia.

Speaking to media outside the Istana Negara, Imran said he thinks that "many Malaysians want Najib back to lead the country".

The group said that Najib has been providing "useful advice" during the pandemic, on matters related to welfare and the economy.

The group also insisted that Najib is innocent until proven guilty, despite him already being sentenced to twelve years’ jail and fined RM210 million (S$68.11 million) for seven charges linked to Malaysia's state development fund, 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). 

Najib is currently appealing the court case and is facing additional charges, as per Malaysiakini.

Najib: Thanks but no thanks

However, Najib seems to have rejected the group's "goodwill" in a recent Facebook post.

Responding to the news, Najib claimed that he does not know about the petition and did not have communications with the group.

He uploaded a screenshot of the news, and added "Thanks but no thanks!" in red font.

He added that he does not want his cases to be dismissed and rejected any political interference in his court proceedings.

The former prime minister said he wants to go through the legal process as he is "confident" that he will be proven innocent, and therefore has no need of a pardon.

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