The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has firmly dismissed assertions made by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad regarding the legality of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s royal pardon. The AGC clarified that the pardon was granted following a proper legal procedure and was not unlawful as alleged.
According to an official statement released by the AGC, the Federal Territories Pardons Board convened its 51st meeting on May 16, 2018, at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur. This meeting was chaired by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XV, Sultan Muhammad V. Importantly, Dr Mahathir, serving as Prime Minister at the time, was present during the session. This directly contradicts claims suggesting that the pardon was granted without proper discussion or approval by the relevant authorities.
The AGC further explained that the Attorney General at that time provided a formal written opinion to the Pardon Board, fulfilling the requirements stipulated under Clause (9), Article 42 of the Federal Constitution. This opinion was part of the board’s thorough deliberation process before consenting to grant the full royal pardon to Anwar Ibrahim.
Highlighting the importance of maintaining public trust in the country’s legal and constitutional institutions, the AGC expressed serious concern over any statements that might mislead or confuse the public regarding the pardon process. The statement emphasized that the pardoning procedure was conducted in full compliance with the law and upheld the integrity of national governance structures.
The royal pardon, which took effect immediately from the date of the meeting, led to Anwar Ibrahim’s release from prison in May 2018, after serving three years of his sentence. This development occurred shortly after Pakatan Harapan’s historic victory in the 14th General Election, marking a significant moment in Malaysia’s political landscape.
By addressing and refuting the allegations, the Attorney General’s Chambers has sought to reaffirm the legality of the pardon and uphold confidence in the nation’s constitutional processes. The AGC’s statement serves as a reminder of the critical role played by the Federal Territories Pardons Board and related institutions in ensuring that such decisions are transparent, lawful, and properly documented.
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