Ask Hannah, Azalina says on Najib’s pardon bid

Law and Institutional Reform Minister Azalina Othman Said clarified she does not oversee the Federal Territories Pardons Board. When queried about the postponement of former Prime Minister Najib Razak's pardon request, Azalina directed inquiries to Hannah Yeoh, the Federal Territories Minister who serves on the FTPB. The Prime Minister's Department's legal affairs division, responsible for the pardon application, operates as a secretariat to the state-level boards, including the FTPB.

The Federal Territories Minister, Menteris Besar, and Chief Ministers act as executive representatives on their respective boards.

On Friday, the legal affairs division announced Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim's approval to postpone Najib's pardon application to the next FTPB gathering. The People's Justice Party (PAS) called for transparency, requesting Putrajaya to explain the reason behind the deferral, labeling it a matter of public interest. Board proceedings are subject to the Official Secrets Act.

In 2017, Najib was found guilty of misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International funds, receiving a RM210 million fine and a 12-year sentence, which he is currently serving at Kajang Prison. The FTPB subsequently reduced his prison term to six years and fine to RM50 million. In December 2025, Najib was convicted of abuse of power and money laundering involving over RM2 billion linked to 1MDB, facing a 15-year jail term and RM11.38 billion fine. He is currently contesting the latter conviction.