The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has dismissed former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s recent claim that Anwar Ibrahim’s royal pardon in 2018 was not lawfully granted. In its official statement, the AGC emphasized that Mahathir had personally attended the Federal Territories Pardons Board (FTPB) meeting where the decision was made.
The issue resurfaced after a video circulated showing Mahathir alleging that the FTPB had not discussed the pardon, suggesting that the process lacked legitimacy. However, the AGC clarified that the board did, in fact, convene on May 16, 2018, at Istana Negara under the chairmanship of the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V.
According to the AGC, among the attendees at that meeting was Mahathir himself, who at the time was serving as the prime minister. Based on the deliberations during that session, the Agong consented to grant a full royal pardon to Anwar, which took effect immediately on the same day.
The AGC expressed concern over public statements that could potentially mislead the people about the actions and decisions of the pardons board. Such remarks, it noted, are considered inappropriate, especially when they relate to matters involving the constitution and institutional credibility.
The royal pardon allowed Anwar, now the prime minister, to walk free after serving part of a five-year prison sentence related to a sodomy conviction. His release came a week after the Pakatan Harapan coalition’s victory in the 14th general election, marking a significant political shift in the country.
The FTPB, responsible for advising the Agong on such matters, comprises the monarch as chair, the attorney general, the federal territories minister, and three other members appointed by the king. Their collective input forms the legal basis for decisions on royal pardons.
While the AGC did not comment further on Mahathir’s motivations, it made clear that any efforts to distort the truth regarding official proceedings of the FTPB are viewed seriously and may undermine public trust in the constitutional process. The office called for greater responsibility in making public statements on sensitive matters that involve national institutions.
Information Source: FMT
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