Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be submitting a new application for a full royal pardon.
His lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah confirmed this at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
Shafee alleged the Pardons Board, which deliberated on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s Royal Pardon application, did not operate in accordance with the constitution’s requirements.
Shafee highlighted this as one of their arguments for filing a fresh full Royal Pardon (Free Pardon) soon, alongside other grounds.
“It is unclear if the process of the Pardons Board and the decisions made to it are regular or otherwise. The law clearly states that the Royal Prerogative of mercy is the sole discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. It is unfettered and non-challengeable in any court.
“However, many public members are somewhat concerned due to the inconsistencies. My client is most baffled. As a result of these unsatisfactory features, we are looking at another application for a full Royal Pardon.
“We will decide when to submit the application. We will have sufficient grounds, including some new ones,” he said during a press conference today.
Shafee also showed a copy of Najib’s Pardons Board document, signed by then-Yang diPertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
He also pointed out that two documents, namely the Prime Minister Office’s press release dated Feb 2, and the ‘Perintah Pembebasan Awal’ of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI, contain certain inconsistencies when compared to each other.
Shafee said Najib’s application for pardon is not anchored on any fact of admission of guilt.
“They are anchored on the fact that he is not guilty and has never been given a fair trial and appeal, especially at the Federal Court.
“Najib’s counsel at the Apex Court was not given the adjournment they requested as they were newly appointed, and the court proceeded to hear the appeal without any submission made by Najib’s new counsel,” he said.