The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, has stressed that royal pardons and sentence reductions are a lawful constitutional mechanism and should not be misunderstood as personal favours or political concessions. His Majesty said such decisions do not erase court convictions, remove criminal records, or weaken the rule of law that underpins Malaysia’s system of governance.
Speaking at a Pahang Council of Regency meeting in Kuantan on February 1, 2026, Al-Sultan Abdullah explained that the authority to grant pardons exists as part of a structured constitutional framework designed to balance justice with mercy. He emphasised that the process is grounded in law and institutional checks, not emotion or public pressure.
According to the Sultan, clemency decisions are not exclusive to any individual, political party, or public office holder. Each year, he noted, hundreds of inmates from different backgrounds and involving both serious and minor offences are considered for sentence reductions or pardons by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers. This, he said, reflects a long-established practice rooted in constitutional principles rather than selective sympathy.
Al-Sultan Abdullah also clarified that pardons are never granted unilaterally. Every decision follows deliberations by the Pardons Board, which comprises representatives from key state and national institutions. This collective process ensures that decisions are carefully weighed and subject to multiple layers of scrutiny, reinforcing transparency and accountability.
He cautioned against interpreting the power of pardon as a weakness within the justice system. Instead, His Majesty described it as a reminder that Malaysia is governed by constitutional supremacy, not by public outrage, political narratives, or sentiment driven by online discourse. He said judgment must remain within the bounds of the law and established institutions, rather than being shaped by emotional reactions.
Najib, who was convicted of misappropriating RM42 million in SRC funds, has been incarcerated at Kajang Prison since August 23, 2022. In 2024, the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced his original 12-year jail term to six years and lowered his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
A judicial review was later filed in 2024 seeking to compel the government to implement an alleged supplementary decree that would allow house arrest. Najib claimed the addendum was not announced publicly and argued that the authorities failed to act on it.
Against this backdrop, Al-Sultan Abdullah’s statement underscored the importance of understanding royal pardons within their proper constitutional context, reaffirming that justice in Malaysia remains anchored in law, due process, and institutional integrity.
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