Anwar Says Najib Pardon Decision Guided By Law, Constitutional Principles

From Ratcharathan Rawe Shanggar

KERALAM (India), Sept 14 (Bernama) -- The deferment of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s petition for a pardon was made based on the principles of the rule of law, the Constitution and relevant advice, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said his role in the Pardons Board meeting was also subject to the law and official guidance from the Attorney General.

“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 here before concluding his working visit to India today.

Anwar said Najib’s pardon issue should not be viewed personally, but instead assessed based on the principles of law and national 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.

He said political considerations and the firm views expressed by UMNO leaders were also taken into account in the matter, but he chose to carry out his responsibility based on principles he believed were right.

“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 Najib’s petition for a pardon being deferred to a Pardons Board meeting to be held later.

The matter was stated in a statement by the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) 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 fined him RM11.4 billion after finding him guilty of four charges of abuse of power and 21 charges of money laundering involving RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds.

-- BERNAMA