To allay fears, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed suggestions that former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak may be granted an early royal pardon.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim explained that the question of Najib's royal pardon is solely at the discretion of the King and that every condemned individual has the right to petition for a pardon.
Malaysia is a country guided by the rule of law, so we should not get ahead of ourselves. I strongly stressed out that I have taken a firm stance on governance and the rule of law,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, according to Malay Mail.
The attorney-general, a menteri besar or chief minister, or a minister from the Federal Territories, and no more than three other members selected by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or Yang di-Pertua Negeri make up the Pardons Board.
Umno had earlier stated their intention to request that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong consider issuing a royal pardon to disgraced former Prime Minister Najib, who is presently serving a 12-year prison sentence at the Kajang prison for corruption charges involving RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
Because Najib's SRC offenses were allegedly committed in the federal territories, the Pardons Board that will review his pardons bid will be the federal territories' pardons board.
Anwar is also on the Pardons Board panel hearing Najib's case, as the Federal Territories Ministry has been reformed and is now a department under the Prime Minister's Department.
In his attempt to become a free man, Najib applied for a review of the Federal Court’s decision to uphold the conviction and sentence on September 6. However, on March 31 the Federal Court in a 4-1 decision rejected Najib’s SRC review bid. This makes the conviction and sentences on Najib remain intact.
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