Royal Prerogative on Pardons Must Be Respected, Anti-Graft Fight Remains Firm: Ramanan

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 — The power to grant a pardon, reprieve, or respite of a sentence falls strictly within the authority and discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as provided under the Federal Constitution, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan affirmed today.

Ramanan stated that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s position on the matter is clear and fully aligned with the nation’s established constitutional framework.

“The Federal Constitution has clearly stipulated the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s jurisdiction in matters of pardons. Therefore, decisions made through the process must be accepted and respected by all parties,” Ramanan said in a statement.

The minister urged all political actors and the public not to politicise matters concerning royal pardons, warning that doing so risks causing unnecessary confusion among the people.

At the same time, Ramanan reassured the public that the administration’s broader governance and anti-corruption agenda remains completely intact.

“Nevertheless, the fight against corruption and misconduct will continue firmly and consistently. This is the stance of the government under the leadership of the Prime Minister, and it is also a position that I fully support,” he added.

Ramanan’s comments follow the decision by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, to grant a conditional pardon to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, permitting him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to the payment of an RM50 million fine.

According to a statement from the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister’s Department, the royal decree was finalized during the 64th Meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya held at Istana Negara on Friday.

-NMT