Azalina Othman Said clarifies role in Najib Razak pardon process

Law and Institutional Reform Minister Azalina Othman Said has clarified that the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister’s Department serves only as a secretariat to the Pardons Board and does not possess decision-making authority regarding pardons.

Responding to inquiries regarding the deferment of former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s pardon application, Azalina stated she is not the minister in charge of the Federal Territories Pardons Board (FTPB). She directed questions concerning the deferment or new dates to the Federal Territories Minister, Hannah Yeoh, who serves as an executive representative on the board.

The deferment follows a decision where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong consented to postpone Najib’s application to the next FTPB meeting. The political party PAS has called for an explanation regarding the delay, citing public interest. Najib, who is currently serving a prison sentence related to the SRC International case, is also appealing a separate conviction involving 1MDB.