COMMENT | The recent statement by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has decreed all pleas for clemency for crimes committed in the Federal Territories must follow the correct procedure and not through any other means was taken with a pinch of salt by former premier Najib Abdul Razak's supporters.

As expected, the statement has ignited strong reactions among Umno leaders.

Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh questioned whether Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s 2018 pardon duly followed the proper procedure.

On social media, Akmal questioned - when Anwar received a pardon from the then Agong, was it brought before the Pardons Board? 

He argued that, at the time, the cabinet had not even been formed yet. Hence, he believed the Pardons Board was not constitutionally formed.

Was he trying to drive home that Anwar’s full pardon was...