Azalina directs questions on Najib pardon to Hannah Yeoh

Azalina Othman Said has clarified the role of her legal affairs division in handling applications related to the royal pardons process, emphasizing that her office functions as administrative support rather than decision-maker. When pressed on questions surrounding former Prime Minister Najib Razak's potential clemency application, Azalina suggested that inquiries be directed to Hannah Yeoh, the Minister of Federal Territories, whose jurisdiction covers the federal territories where such matters may be addressed.

The distinction drawn by Azalina underscores the structural division of responsibilities within Malaysia's pardons system, with each state maintaining its own pardons board. Her legal affairs division operates as a secretariat to support these boards' functions, but does not exercise independent authority over individual applications or decisions.

The clarification comes amid ongoing public interest in Najib's legal situation. The former premier is serving a 12-year sentence for criminal breach of trust and money laundering convictions related to the 1MDB scandal. Any formal application for pardon would ultimately require consideration by the appropriate state's pardons board and potentially the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Azalina's comments reflect the complex institutional framework governing clemency and pardon matters in Malaysia, where responsibilities are distributed across federal and state levels.