Najib’s Pardon Issue: ‘I Expressed My Views Honestly in the Nation’s Interest’ – Hannah Yeoh

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh has clarified that the views she expressed during the official Pardons Board meeting last Friday regarding Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s pardon application were made honestly and frankly, guided by her conscience and in the interest of the nation.

She said her views were given after considering the Attorney General’s written opinion and in her capacity as the minister responsible for the Federal Territories.

“I expressed my views honestly and frankly, guided by my conscience and in the interest of the nation,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.

Hannah said that in accordance with Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, the authority and final decision rest with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, including the authority to defer any decision concerning the former prime minister’s pardon application.

Her clarification came following a statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said that any questions regarding the deferment of the decision on Najib’s pardon application should be referred to Hannah.

Azalina had earlier said that she was not the minister responsible for the Pardons Board, while the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) under her ministry only serves as the secretariat.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim had earlier consented to defer Najib’s pardon application to a future meeting of the Pardons Board.

The meeting last Friday also involved Hannah in her capacity as the minister responsible, Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, as well as three members appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Najib began serving his prison sentence on Aug 23, 2022, after the Federal Court upheld his conviction and sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment and a RM210 million fine in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case.

The Federal Territories Pardons Board subsequently reduced his sentence to six years in prison and his fine to RM50 million in February 2024.

In December last year, the High Court dismissed Najib’s appeal to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.

Awani