SHAH ALAM, Malaysia — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the final authority to grant a pardon rests with the state ruler or the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, after former Prime Minister Najib Razak received a conditional pardon that allows him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
Anwar said every prisoner, including Najib, has the right to petition the Pardons Board for consideration.
“Anyone, including Datuk Seri Najib, has the right to submit a petition for consideration by the Pardons Board,” Anwar said at a reunion tea gathering for pioneers of the Reformasi movement in Shah Alam on Sept. 20.
Anwar said the prime minister’s advice and the attorney general’s views form part of the pardon process, but he stressed that his advice did not amount to a recommendation for Najib to receive a pardon.
“Did my advice lead towards that decision? No,” Anwar said.
He said he had reminded officials about Najib’s other ongoing cases, the size of the fine and the potential impact on public confidence in the justice system and Malaysia’s international standing.
Anwar said the constitutional power to decide on a pardon ultimately rests with the ruler or the King.
“Once a decision is made, we accept it,” he said.
He also said Najib’s conditional pardon would not affect other legal proceedings against the former prime minister.
“We have not surrendered and we will not surrender. We will proceed with the cases that are still before the courts. The 1MDB case is continuing, and the civil cases are also continuing,” Anwar said.
Sultan Ibrahim, Malaysia’s King, granted Najib a conditional pardon on Sept. 18 that allows him to serve the remainder of his sentence for the SRC International case under house arrest until Aug. 23, 2028.
The Federal Territories Pardons Board approved the decision at its 64th meeting at Istana Negara. The conditions include a RM50 million fine and compliance with other requirements.
The Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department said the pardon would automatically become void if Najib failed to meet any of the conditions, requiring him to return to prison to serve the remaining sentence.
Anwar previously said his role as prime minister included advising on legal implications, national stability and the rule of law, while also considering advice from the attorney general.
“Ultimately, the Constitution vests the power in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” Anwar said on Sept. 18.