World · Malaysia Bureau
AGC affirms validity of Najib's royal pardon, dismisses legal challenges
Malaysia's Attorney General's Chambers has stated it will not contest the constitutional authority of the conditional royal pardon granted to former Prime Minister Najib Razak. The AGC said recent legal arguments do not undermine the legitimacy or scope of the pardon itself.
LSN Malaysia ·
The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has reaffirmed its position that the royal pardon issued to Najib Razak remains legally sound and beyond challenge, despite ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the matter. In a statement, the AGC clarified that issues raised in court do not touch upon the validity or constitutional power underpinning the conditional pardon instrument. The position effectively signals the government's stance that the pardon, granted in August 2024, stands on solid legal ground. Najib had been serving a 12-year prison sentence for his conviction in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal before the pardon was issued. The conditional nature of the pardon allows for its revocation should Najib breach its stipulated terms. Legal experts have previously noted that royal pardons in Malaysia fall within the constitutional prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and are not subject to judicial review, though the conditions attached to such pardons may be subject to legal scrutiny. The AGC's latest statement appears designed to close debate on the matter's legality while the judiciary continues to process related cases.