{
  "id": 8479565,
  "title": "Don’t shift pardon decision to PM, says Tengku Zafrul",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/dont-shift-pardon-decision-to-pm-says-tengku-zafrul",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T14:35:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/19/don-t-shift-pardon-decision-to-pm-says-tengku-zafrul"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tengku Zafrul Aziz, the senior political adviser to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has dismissed claims that Anwar was responsible for granting clemency to former Prime Minister Najib Razak. Tengku Zafrul emphasized that the ultimate decision to grant a pardon lies with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as per Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, and not with the prime minister. He clarified that Najib's pardon was conditional, and he would serve the remaining portion of his six-year sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, provided he pays a RM50 million fine in the SRC International case; otherwise, he would have to serve an additional year.",
  "summary": "The senior political adviser to the prime minister rejects claims that Anwar Ibrahim was responsible for the decision to pardon Najib Razak.",
  "key_points": [
    "Tengku Zafrul denies Anwar Ibrahim was responsible for Najib Razak's pardon.",
    "Pardon decision rests with Yang di-Pertuan Agong per Article 42 of Federal Constitution.",
    "Najib to serve remaining sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028 if RM50M fine paid."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Don’t shift pardon decision to PM, says Tengku Zafrul",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/dont-shift-pardon-decision-to-pm-says-tengku-zafrul-8483171",
        "published": "2026-09-19T14:35:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}