KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdulllah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has granted an early pardon to 13 convicts in conjunction with the country's 63rd National Day today.
According to Istana Negara's Comptroller of the Royal Household, Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, the convicts were serving life sentences handed out by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Dec 28, 2001 on charges under Section 121 of the Penal Code for waging war or attempting to wage war or abetting to wage war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or State Ruler or the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
"The consent by Al-Sultan Abdullah is exercised under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution following advice by the Pardons Board of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.
"All 13 convicts serving the life sentences since 2001 had appealed for a pardon on their sentences," he said in a statement here today.
Ahmad Fadil said Al-Sultan Abdullah, upon the advice of the Pardons Board of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya which met on Sept 4 last year, had consented to the release of the 13 on a date to be announced later.
He said His Majesty, upon the advice of the same board in a meeting held on July 24 this year, then consented to the convicts' release to take effect in Aug 2020.
Ahmad Fadil said the early pardon was due to their good behaviour while in prison, and is aimed at allowing the 13 to return to society, turn over a new leaf and live normal lives.
"Al-Sultan Abdullah also hopes that the 13 will reflect on their mistakes, repent and evaluate their relationship with God, their families and society," he said.
His Majesty also hopes that the 13 will be able to live new lives with their loved ones, and play their role as citizens dedicated to religion, race and country, Ahmad Fadil said. - BERNAMA