KUALA LUMPUR – Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has advised the media to wait for the official statement by the Pardons Board on the outcome of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s pardon petition.
“The media should wait for the statement from the Pardons Board and not simply quote sources (to report on the matter),” he was quoted as saying by Bernama amid speculations over Najib’s fate.
His reprimand came after a Malay-language news portal reported that Najib was successful in his petition for a pardon. However, the news site withdrew the report about an hour later.
He said it is very important for the media to verify the authenticity of the information received before publishing it.
“Sometimes, the authenticity of the sources cannot be ascertained; hence, it is important to verify the information received.
“I have also checked with the cabinet’s strategic communications unit and YB Azalina (Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said) and was informed that we have to wait for the Pardons Board,” he said in his speech at the ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya today.
Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, confirmed that the Pardons Board convened yesterday.
While she said the meeting took place at Istana Negara here, she did not disclose the topics discussed.
“Wait for the official statement by the board,” she told reporters after a city hall event in Bandar Tun Razak here today.
Also today, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Mustafa Billah Shah ended his reign as Yang di-Pertuan Agong with a send-off ceremony as he flew back to his home state of Pahang.
Zaliha was reported as saying that the board convened after several postponements.
The convening of the Pardons Board and its deliberations are protected by the Official Secrets Act. However, the result of Najib’s pardon bid has been a matter of speculation for weeks.
Earlier this month, Najib’s lawyer, Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah, said neither his client nor his office have been updated on the pardon petition that was filed some 16 months ago.
He added that under Article 42 of the federal constitution, the power of pardon is a prerogative power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. – January 30, 2024