No ambiguity over Najib’s conditional pardon, says Istana Negara

The Sultan Ibrahim, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, has clarified that the conditional pardon granted to former Prime Minister Najib Razak is unambiguous and does not pertain to any other cases. In a statement from Istana Negara, Sultan Ibrahim underscored that the pardon order is clear and explicit, and should not be subject to prolonged uncertainty.

He stated that any arguments challenging the order would be seen as defying the decree of the king. The palace emphasized that the king's prerogative to grant clemency, as provided for in the Federal Constitution, must be respected, in line with the principles of constitutional monarchy and the rule of law.

The Sultan's decision to defer Najib's house arrest, pending a review of the pardon and discharge order, was based on advice from the Attorney-General’s Chambers. The AGC suggested that the house arrest should be deferred until these matters are addressed, given the "complex legal questions" involved. The AGC highlighted that the payment of a RM50 million fine, which is a mandatory condition for house arrest, only covers one aspect of the sentence, while the jail term remains in force until August 23, 2028.

The AGC's concerns also extend to the legal implications of the Order of Discharge on Payment of Fine, issued by the Kuala Lumpur High Court. This order stipulates that Najib should be released immediately, with the remainder of his sentence to be served under house arrest until August 23, 2028. This arrangement has significant ramifications for Najib's 15-year prison sentence in the 1MDB case, which is set to begin in 2028.