IPOH: All parties must respect the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's prerogative to grant prisoners pardons or sentence reductions, said law minister.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said that Istana Negara's statement yesterday must be accepted as a sign of respect for the monarchy.
"The statement by Istana Negara complies with legal principles. I hope the public will follow it.
"The views of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong must be respected. So, follow (the legal provisions) if there are any appeals.
"If you read the statement, it is very clear, and specific provisions are outlined. Just follow them, and that's enough.
"This is the legal framework, and we must respect the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"What is of utmost importance is that we accept this perspective. Like it or not, I must respect my monarch, as enshrined in the principles of the Rukun Negara," he said.
Kulasegaran, who is also the Ipoh Barat MP, was speaking after presenting aid to 60 victims of a flood that hit the Arena Kepayang Putra area, Fair Park, here on Dec 1.
Yesterday, Istana Negara said that the power to grant pardons, defer sentences and commute sentences for offences committed in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya is the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as enshrined in Articles 42(1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution.
It also stated that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has the authority to remit, suspend, or reduce any sentence handed down by the courts for the offences in question.
According to the statement, these powers are exercised based on the advice of the Pardons Board chaired by the monarch.
"Therefore, if any party wishes to propose a pardon or sentence reduction for any prisoner, the application must be submitted by the prisoner for consideration by the Pardons Board, chaired by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, at its upcoming meeting," the statement said.
The statement from Istana Negara comes days before former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's appeal concerning the High Court's decision to dismiss his judicial review application and notice of motion to present additional evidence related to a purported Royal addendum, which is scheduled to be heard by the Court of Appeal on Jan 6.
The royal addendum purportedly would allow the former Umno president to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
The Attorney-General's Chambers had previously stated that Najib must submit an application to the Pardons Board, chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, if he wishes to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
Najib, 71, has been serving a 12-year prison sentence since Aug 23, 2022, after being convicted of misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
He petitioned for a pardon on Sept 2 the same year.
The Pardons Board later reduced Najib's sentence from 12 years to six, and the fine from RM210 million to RM50 million, allowing him to be released on Aug 23, 2028.
Najib claims there is an addendum order approved by the 16th Yang di-Perua Agong allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.