Pakatan Harapan (PH) respects the constitutional powers and authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to grant clemency, including in matters involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, PH election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said.
Amirudin, who is also Selangor Menteri Besar and a PKR vice-president, said the coalition’s position on corruption and the enforcement of court sentences should not be interpreted as questioning the King’s constitutional role in considering applications for pardons or reductions in sentences.
His clarification comes amid a dispute between PH and its Unity Government partner UMNO after the latter accused the coalition of appearing to question the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s discretion over clemency.
UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the power to grant pardons was provided for under Article 42(1) of the Federal Constitution and should not be questioned by any party. He also argued that PH had supported the full royal pardon granted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 2018 and questioned why a different standard should apply to others.
Amirudin maintained that PH recognised and respected the constitutional process, including the authority of the King in clemency matters, while retaining its right to state its position on corruption, abuse of power and the rule of law.
PH said it remained committed to institutional reform, good governance and combating corruption, while stressing that ongoing judicial processes should be allowed to proceed without creating a perception that they had been overtaken by other considerations. The statement did not name Najib or explicitly refer to his clemency application.
The exchange has intensified ahead of a reported meeting of the Federal Territories Pardons Board on Sept 11, at which Najib’s latest application for clemency is expected to be among the matters considered.
Under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has powers relating to pardons, reprieves and respites for offences committed in the Federal Territories. Istana Negara has previously stated that applications for clemency are considered through the Pardons Board chaired by the King and urged all parties to respect the constitutional and legal process.
Najib has been imprisoned since August 2022 following his conviction in the SRC International case involving RM42 million. His original 12-year prison sentence was reduced to six years following a Pardons Board decision in 2024, while his RM210 million fine was cut to RM50 million.
