Palace: Prisoners' clemency bids must go through Pardons Board

Summary

• Istana Negara says any prisoners seeking clemency must submit their application to the Pardons Board for consideration.

• The palace also reminds all quarters to respect the Federal Constitution and related laws

Istana Negara today said anyone who wishes to seek clemency for a prisoner must submit their application to the Pardons Board.

“If any quarters wish for a prisoner to be granted a full pardon or a reduction in their sentence, the application must be made by the convicted person to the Pardons Board chaired by the Agong in the next meeting for consideration.

“And we remind all quarters to respect the Federal Constitution and all related laws,” Istana Negara said in a statement posted on Facebook today.

Amid questions over an alleged royal addendum which would allow former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to be held under house arrest for the remainder of his sentence, the Attorney-General’s Chambers said the decision lies with the Pardons Board.

In a statement on Dec 28, the AGC stressed it has been decreed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar that all pleas for clemency for crimes committed in the Federal Territories must follow the correct procedure and not through any other means.

This is to avoid the king’s decision based on the advice of the Pardons Board being challenged in court.

Previously, Najib’s son Mohd Nizar had filed an affidavit claiming that Pahang ruler and former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had told him about the existence of the addendum to a Pardons Board decision.

The Court of Appeal has set Jan 6 to hear Najib’s appeal against the High Court’s decision to reject his application to hear about the alleged royal addendum.

Agong has prerogative

On that note, Istana Negara reminded all quarters that based on Article 42 (1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution, the Agong has the prerogative to issue a pardon, postpone sentencing or provide relief for any offences committed in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.

“And the Agong exercises this function based on the advice given by the Pardons Board,” the statement read.

Umno is scheduled to hold a solidarity rally for Najib on the same day the Court of Appeal is scheduled to hear the former premier’s appeal.

Subsequently, PAS leadership had urged its members to attend the rally as well.

On Dec 31, Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi clarified that the rally was apolitical and was never discussed with PAS beforehand.

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