PM: Decision to defer Najib’s pardon petition based on law, not personal prejudice

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — The decision to defer former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s petition for a royal pardon was guided strictly by the Federal Constitution, the rule of law, and official legal advice, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

Anwar stressed that his participation in the Pardons Board proceedings was bounded by statute and formal guidance provided by the Attorney-General, The Edge reported.

“A prime minister, whoever he is, must have a voice and give his views based on the law, on advice from the Attorney General and on the rules. That is what I did.

“However, we also know that this is within the discretion and authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia), in the Pardons Board meeting, and the King must of course take all factors into consideration,” he told a joint press conference with Malaysian media in Calicut, Kerala, prior to concluding his official visit to India on Monday.

Anwar said the question of Najib’s pardon must not be viewed through a personal lens, but evaluated against established legal benchmarks and good governance.

“For me, in carrying out this duty, we must submit to the principle of the rule of law and what has been agreed upon in the constitution.

“So, I only gave my views along those lines. I have never, for example, taken a prejudiced or hateful stance. No,” he said.

The prime minister acknowledged that political representations, including strong appeals made by Umno leaders, were considered, but maintained that he chose to fulfil his constitutional duties based on principled governance.

“I know what the easy way is and what the difficult way is, but I chose the path I believe is right, following the principles of law and what we consider important in terms of the spirit of governance and the rule of law in the country,” he said.

Last Friday, Sultan Ibrahim consented to defer Najib’s pardon petition to a subsequent meeting of the board.

The decision was disclosed in an official statement by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department following the 63rd Pardons Board Meeting for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya at Istana Negara on Sept 11.

On Dec 26 last year, the High Court sentenced Najib to 15 years in prison and imposed an RM11.4 billion fine after convicting him of four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.3 billion misappropriated from 1MDB funds.