Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Law and Institutional Reform, emphasized that the constitutional power to grant pardons in Malaysia operates within the law and does not place any individual above legal authority. Speaking in Petaling Jaya on Saturday, she reiterated that Article 42 of the Federal Constitution explicitly provides this power, which must be exercised in accordance with the nation’s supreme law.

Azalina made the comments in response to criticism following the conditional pardon granted to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The Pakatan Harapan presidential council had recently reaffirmed its support for the current Prime Minister’s stance on the issue while maintaining its commitment to combating corruption. The council also highlighted advice given by the Attorney General and the Federal Territories Minister to the Pardons Board and underlined the principle that no one is above the law.

Clarifying the distinction between judicial rulings and the pardoning process, Azalina said courts are responsible for determining guilt and issuing sentences, whereas the constitutional provision empowers the Pardons Board to grant pardons, reprieves, and remissions. She stressed that the existence of the pardon power does not undermine court decisions nor elevate any person beyond the law.

Azalina further urged the public and political actors to interpret the roles of the Pardons Board, the Attorney General, and the relevant minister strictly within the constitutional context rather than through political narratives. She called for assessments of the pardon’s validity and process to be based on constitutional provisions, facts, and the procedures followed, rather than solely on political statements.

“No one is above the law. And no one is above the Constitution,” she said, underscoring the need to respect the judiciary, the constitutional framework, and related processes.

In a separate statement, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan reinforced that the authority to grant pardons rests solely with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as stipulated under the Federal Constitution. He noted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s position aligns with this constitutional framework and called on all parties to avoid politicizing the matter to prevent confusion.

“The Federal Constitution has clearly stipulated the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s jurisdiction in matters of pardons. As such, decisions made through this process must be accepted and respected by all parties,” Ramanan said.

Both officials stressed adherence to constitutional procedures and the importance of upholding the rule of law amid ongoing public debate triggered by Najib Razak’s conditional pardon.