I gave my views on Najib’s pardon bid honestly, says Yeoh

Federal territories minister Hannah Yeoh says she had expressed her views on former prime minister Najib Razak’s pardon application during the Federal Territories Pardons Board (FTPB) meeting on Sept 11, after reviewing the written opinion of the attorney-general.

“I expressed my views honestly and candidly, guided by my conscience and in the country’s interest,” said Yeoh, who is a member of the board, in a statement here today.

The statement was issued in response to remarks by law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said regarding the deferment of Najib’s pardon application.

Yeoh said she had expressed her views in her capacity as the minister responsible for the federal territories.

“Certainly, in accordance with Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, the authority and final decision lie with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, including the decision to defer any ruling regarding Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s pardon,” she said.

Yesterday, Azalina was reported as saying that any questions or clarifications regarding the deferment of Najib’s pardon application should be directed to Yeoh.

She said although the legal affairs division came under her ministry, it merely served as the secretariat for the pardons board and she was not the minister responsible for the board.

In a statement on Sept 11, the division said the Agong had consented to defer the decision on Najib’s pardon application to a future meeting of the board.