Hannah Yeoh: My views on Najib’s pardon given honestly

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 16 — Hannah Yeoh, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), has shared her perspective on former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's pardon application during the Pardons Board meeting on September 11. Hannah, a member of the Pardons Board, expressed her views honestly and candidly, she said in a statement.

"I expressed my views honestly and candidly, guided by my conscience and in the country’s interest," Hannah stated in her statement today. Her remarks came in response to comments made by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), regarding the postponement of Najib's pardon application.

Hannah emphasized her role as the minister responsible for the Federal Territories and underlined the final authority on the matter lies with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as per Article 42 of the Federal Constitution. "Certainly, in accordance with Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, the authority and final decision lie with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, including the decision to defer any ruling regarding Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s pardon," Hannah stated.

The following day, Azalina was quoted as directing any questions or clarifications regarding the deferment of Najib's pardon application to Hannah. She clarified that while the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) falls under her ministry, it acts merely as the secretariat for the Pardons Board and she is not the minister responsible for the board.

On September 11, the Prime Minister’s Department's Legal Affairs Division announced in a statement that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, had consented to defer the decision on Najib's pardon application to a future meeting of the Pardons Board. This information was reported by Bernama.