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HIS Majesty Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has stressed that the power of pardon provided under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution should never be viewed as a political reward or an expression of personal compassion.
Instead, His Majesty said the royal prerogative of pardon is a legitimate constitutional mechanism that serves as the final balancing element within a justice system that is inherently punitive.
“The power of pardon as provided under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution should be assessed with calm emotions and a composed conscience, not with excessive sentiment or a cold, unthinking mind,” His Majesty said in a statement posted on the Pahang Royal Household’s Facebook page on Monday.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said any reduction of sentence does not erase a court conviction, remove a criminal record or undermine the principle of the rule of law that forms the foundation of national governance.
“Pardons and sentence reductions are also not exclusive to one name, one party or one position. Every year, hundreds of prisoners from various backgrounds, including those convicted of serious and minor offences, receive sentence reductions or pardons from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers,” His Majesty said.
According to the statement, the Sultan made the remarks when attending the 120th Meeting of the Pahang State Royal Council at the Grand Darul Makmur Hotel on Monday.
Also in attendance was the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah.
Al-Sultan Abdullah further emphasised that decisions on pardons are not made unilaterally, but through deliberations of the Pardons Board, which comprises representatives of key national or state institutions, reflecting a multi-layered system of checks and balances.
In the tradition of constitutional monarchy, His Majesty said the Ruler is not an instrument of public sentiment nor subject to political pressure, but serves as a canopy of justice that calms situations when emotions run high and restores balance when loud voices attempt to monopolise the truth.
“The power of pardon should not be interpreted as a weakness of the system, but as a clear reminder that this country is not governed by social media emotions, does not pass judgment on political stages and does not replace the Constitution with public anger,” His Majesty said.
The Sultan of Pahang also expressed confidence that Malaysia will continue to remain a principled and firm nation, and offered prayers that the country, and Pahang in particular, will always remain under the mercy of Allah. - February 3, 2026