by Ganesh Sahathevan
The New Straits Times has reported:
"The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) respects and follows the statement issued by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong regarding the prerogative powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as outlined in Article 42(1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution, which clearly directs that any party seeking a pardon must submit an application to the Pardons Board and not through any gathering or any unauthorised channel," it said in a statement.
"In respect of the statement issued by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and to maintain public safety and order, PDRM urges the public not to participate in any gatherings organised by any party," it added.
The 'Solidarity with Najib Razak' gathering is set to take place at the Palace of Justice, Putrajaya next Monday.Anwar Ibrahim himself has advised his people, with regards the statement issued by the Palace to “Read, understand and accept it,”However, Anwar himself informed Parliament that the then King Muhammad V told him that " he had followed(his) court trial and said it was a clear travesty of justice", and that he would grant him a pardon.
It follows that the King can listen to whatever or whoever he pleases and grant royal pardons as he sees fit. Obstructing a rally intended to communicate to the Monarch public sentiment can then be seen as interfering with His Majesty's pleasure.
To Be Read With
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Malaysia's PM Anwar Ibrahim quotes Shakespeare and confirms suspicion that his royal pardon is invalid- Muhammad V, then Agong, had no power to grant a pardon on his own, without advice from the Pardons Board , an invalid pardon disqualifies Anwar from holding office, or sitting as MP
by Ganesh Sahathevan
It was meant to be political theatre but Malaysia's PM Anwar Ibrahim quoting Shakespeare appears to have confirmed suspicion that his royal pardon is invalid. The pardon was granted in 2018 by Muhammad V, then Agong, with regards Anwar's conviction for the crime of sodomy.
There were suspicions at the time, given the speed with which the pardon was granted, that Muhammad V had acted outside his powers. The Agong has no power to grant a pardon on his own accord, and can only grant a pardon on the advice of the Pardons Board.
In parliament today, expressing a desire to put the matter on record in Hansard Anwar said, after quoiting Shakespeare about the words of idiots:
"The king at the time had called me when I was still in the rehabilitation centre, and he told me that he would give me a full pardon.
"He said he had followed my court trial and said it was a clear travesty of justice. That was the phrase he used.
An invalid pardon disqualifies Anwar from holding office, or sitting in Parliament as a MP.
TO BE READ WITH
Anwar: King granted my pardon on his own accord, called it 'clear travesty of justice'
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did not ask for the royal pardon granted to him in 2018, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
The prime minister said it was the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, who took the initiative to grant him the royal pardon.
"The king at the time had called me when I was still in the rehabilitation centre, and he told me that he would give me a full pardon.
"He said he had followed my court trial and said it was a clear travesty of justice. That was the phrase he used.
"I want to make it clear, on the record, in the hansard," he said when presenting the Consolidated Fund (Expenditure on Account) bill in Dewan Rakyat, today.
He also said there were breaches in the principles of justice, including coercing individuals into becoming witnesses or opening investigations even before a police report was lodged.
The issue of his royal pardon was raised by opposition leader, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) in his debate during the vote of confidence to the prime minister yesterday.
Anwar (PH-Tambun) was jailed for six years for sodomy in 1999 and, a year later, another nine years for corruption.
He was freed in 2004 after Malaysia's top court overturned his sodomy conviction. However, he was imprisoned a second time for sodomy in 2015.
Sultan Muhammad V granted Anwar a full pardon in May 2018
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