KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 3): Any prisoner seeking clemency or a reduction in one’s sentence must submit an application to the Pardons Board for consideration, the National Palace said on Friday.
The prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to grant pardons, reprieve and respite for offences committed is exercised with the advice of the board, which is chaired by the king, the National Palace said in a statement.
"If any party wishes to propose that a prisoner be granted clemency or a reduction in sentence, the application must be submitted by the prisoner concerned for consideration by the Pardons Board, chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, at the next meeting," the statement read.
The statement did not refer to any specific prisoner or provide a timeline on when the Pardons Board's next meeting will be held.
The statement comes ahead of a bid by former prime minister-turned-prisoner Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Court of Appeal for judicial review on Jan 6 over an alleged royal addendum issued by the former king that purportedly allowed him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
Najib is currently serving a reduced six-year jail term and a RM50 million fine after being found guilty of seven charges, including abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
The original punishment was a 12-year jail term and a RM210 million fine, before a partial royal pardon was granted in March last year by the previous king.
Under Article 42(1) of the Federal Constitution, the king has the prerogative to grant pardons, reprieve and respite for offences committed in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.
Article 42(2) of the Federal Constitution further provides that the king may remit, suspend or commute any sentence imposed by the courts.