Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the view she gave on Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s pardon application during the Pardons Board meeting on Sept 11 was based on the written opinion of the Attorney General.
Hannah, who is also a member of the Pardons Board, said she gave her view honestly and frankly based on her conscience and in the interest of the country.
“I have expressed my view honestly and frankly, based on my conscience in the interest of the country,” she said in a statement today.
She said the view was given in her capacity as the minister responsible for the Federal Territories.
Hannah’s statement came in response to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said over the deferment of the former prime minister’s pardon application.
At the same time, Hannah said Article 42 of the Federal Constitution provides that the power and final decision on the matter rests with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“Certainly, in accordance with Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, the power and final decision lies in the hands of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, including to defer any decision on Najib’s pardon,” she said.
Media reports yesterday said questions and explanations concerning the deferment of Najib’s pardon application should be referred to Hannah.
Azalina had said she was not the minister responsible for the Pardons Board, while the Legal Affairs Division under her ministry only serves as the board’s secretariat.
On Sept 11, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim consented to the deferment of Najib’s pardon application to a future Pardons Board meeting.
