PKR Youth Chief Warns Umno Counterpart Against Distorting Facts
PETALING JAYA: PKR Youth chief Adam Adli has demanded that his Umno counterpart, Dr Akmal Salleh, retract his remarks questioning whether PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s 2018 royal pardon was approved by the Federal Territories Pardons Board (FTPB).
Fact-Checking Urged
Adam said Akmal should be more careful when issuing statements and should check basic facts by searching for them on Google. "Akmal is rushing into conclusions and distorting facts that are well known to the public," he said.
Pardon Process Explained
Adam explained that the pardon granted to Anwar went through the proper process, including being presented and considered by the Pardons Board in accordance with Article 42 of the Federal Constitution. "All this was widely reported by the media at that time," he said.
Constitutional Aspects
Adam emphasized the importance of not questioning the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (to pardon prisoners) to the point of tarnishing the view of the (royal) institution’s integrity. "If Akmal is not careful, such statements will no longer be just a political attack but can be seen as an act of disrespect toward the monarchy and the country’s supreme law," he warned.
Background on Anwar’s Pardon
Anwar received a full royal pardon days after Pakatan Harapan won the May 2018 general election and was freed after serving three years in prison. He later told Parliament that the royal pardon was granted at the initiative of the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V.
Legal Proceedings
In 2021, the Court of Appeal struck out a suit by a lawyer who had questioned the Pardons Board’s decision to set aside Anwar’s criminal conviction after stating that the suit was "obviously unsustainable" as it did not disclose a proper cause of action. Last year, the Federal Court dismissed a lawyer’s attempt to challenge the legality of the pardon given to Anwar. The court held that a decision made in an exercise of the royal prerogative of mercy could not be varied or confirmed by the court, and was not justiciable.
Akmal’s Query
In a Facebook post yesterday, Akmal said he would like to ask the attorney-general if Anwar’s pardon by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong was brought to the FTPB. Akmal’s query was made in response to a statement by the Attorney-General’s Chambers yesterday, which said that all pardon applications for offences committed in Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya must be submitted to the FTPB – which is chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The AGC also said all proposals for prisoners in the federal territories to serve the remainder of their sentence under house arrest, including former prime minister Najib Razak, must also be submitted to the board.
Conclusion
It is essential for public figures like Akmal to verify facts and avoid spreading misinformation. By doing so, they can maintain public trust and avoid causing unnecessary controversy. Adam’s warning serves as a reminder to all public figures to be responsible and accountable for their actions and statements.
FAQs
Q: What is the Federal Territories Pardons Board (FTPB)?
A: The FTPB is an administrative body responsible for processing pardon applications for offences committed in Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya.
Q: What is the process for obtaining a pardon in Malaysia?
A: Pardon applications must be submitted to the FTPB, which is chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The board reviews the applications and recommends them to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for approval.
Q: What is the purpose of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s pardon?
A: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has the power to pardon prisoners, which is an exercise of the royal prerogative of mercy. This power is enshrined in the Federal Constitution.