Hannah Yeoh: Views on Najib's pardon deferral given in nation's best interest

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said her input on former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's pardon application was honest and guided by her conscience.

Yeoh said she shared her views with the nation's best interests in mind, after considering the Attorney-General's written opinion at the Federal Territories Pardons Board meeting last Friday.

"As a member of the Pardons Board and having considered the written opinion of the Attorney-General, I have provided my views in my capacity as the Minister responsible for the federal territories at the official meeting of the Pardons Board held last Friday, Sept 11," she said in a statement.

"I have stated my views honestly, guided by my conscience and with the best interests of the nation in mind."

Yeoh said that under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, the ultimate authority and final decision rests solely with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, including the decision to defer Najib's pardon bid.

Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said any questions or explanations regarding the deferment of Najib's pardon application should be directed to Yeoh.

She said she was not the minister responsible for the Pardons Board, while the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) under her ministry only served as its secretariat.

Yeoh's statement follows the outcome of the Pardons Board sitting on Sept 11, where it was decided that Najib's pardon application would be deferred to a future meeting.

Najib is currently serving a reduced six-year prison sentence in Kajang Prison following his conviction for misappropriating RM42 million belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

In February 2024, the Pardons Board halved his original 12-year jail sentence to six years and reduced his RM210 million fine to RM50 million.