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Tengku Zafrul defends PM, denies Anwar role in Najib pardon

The Prime Minister's senior political adviser has pushed back against suggestions that Anwar Ibrahim made the decision to pardon former premier Najib Razak, insisting the responsibility lies elsewhere within government.

LSN Malaysia · 19 September 2026

Tengku Zafrul defends PM, denies Anwar role in Najib pardon

Tengku Zafrul Aziz, who serves as a senior political adviser to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has rejected claims attributing the pardoning of Najib Razak to the Prime Minister's office. His comments come as the controversial pardon decision continues to draw public scrutiny and political debate across Malaysia.

The pardon, which significantly reduced Najib's prison sentence for corruption-related convictions, has remained a contentious issue since its announcement. Questions have persisted about who bears responsibility for the decision, with some observers pointing toward the Prime Minister's involvement.

Tengku Zafrul's statement appears designed to deflect criticism from Anwar Ibrahim's administration by clarifying the decision-making process and institutional responsibilities involved in such matters. The remarks underscore the sensitivity surrounding the pardon within government circles.

The former premier's case has maintained considerable public interest given his previous tenure as Prime Minister and the high-profile nature of his legal proceedings. The pardon decision has prompted ongoing discussion about the exercise of executive power in Malaysia's political system.