Respect the King's discretionary powers, govt's stance remains firm and consistent

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan explained that the authority to grant a pardon, reprieve, or respite rests with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under Malaysia's Federal Constitution. He confirmed that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's stance on this issue aligns with the country's constitutional framework. The Constitution explicitly defines the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's authority in pardon matters, and decisions made through this process should be respected by all parties, Ramanan stated in a recent statement.

Ramanan also cautioned against politicizing pardon-related matters, as this could generate confusion. Despite this caution, he emphasized that the government, under Anwar Ibrahim's leadership, remains committed to combating corruption and misconduct. He affirmed that this stance is consistent with the government's policy and one he fully supports.

Earlier, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, issued a conditional pardon to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. This decision, made at the 64th meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories, allows Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, provided he pays a RM50 million fine.