Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has denied claims that he paved the way for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to receive a pardon, stressing that every prisoner has the right to submit an appeal for consideration by the Pardons Board.
Anwar said the Pardons Board has the authority to consider such applications, taking into account the advice of the Prime Minister and Attorney General at the Federal Government level, while the final decision rests with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“I said every prisoner has the right to submit an appeal, and I will continue to defend that right for anyone, including Datuk Seri Najib. He has the right to submit his appeal for consideration by the Pardons Board, chaired by the Agong.
“There were some voices from our former colleagues saying this was the work of Pakatan (Harapan).
“As Prime Minister, I do not want to speak harshly. You can criticise me, but that is not correct… those in the Government know my position from the beginning. If you want to win votes, you should not do so by lying. They said I was the one who opened the way. That is not true,” he said.
Anwar was speaking at the Perintis Reformis Reunion Hi-Tea at the Selangor International Trade Centre (SITC) today.
He said matters concerning pardons and the conferment of awards fall under the discretion of the Sultan or Ruler of a state, or the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in accordance with constitutional principles.
Anwar said his previous comments concerning Najib’s pardon were not intended to influence the decision. He said his remarks also touched on other considerations, including cases that were still ongoing, the substantial fine involved and the potential impact on public confidence in the justice system and Malaysia’s international standing.
At the same time, Anwar stressed that the granting of a pardon does not prevent legal proceedings involving other cases that remain ongoing, including those linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and civil cases.
He also reiterated the MADANI Government’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring cases involving abuse of power are investigated and handled through due legal processes.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim on Friday granted Najib a conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to the payment of a RM50 million fine.
The Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister’s Department said the order was decided during the 64th meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, held at Istana Negara last Friday.
Anwar also said the Federal Government would continue defending Malaysia’s constitutional monarchy, while any disputes involving the royal institution must be resolved according to the Constitution and the law.
He said the Government machinery would be fully utilised to defend the institution of the Malay rulers.
“State Executive Council meets to remove the ruler — whose right is that? When you won the election, did you say in your manifesto, ‘If we win, we will remove the ruler’? No.
“People gave you their support to uphold the monarchy. But you won, and you rejected the ruler,” he said.
