PM warned on misleading Parliament over royal pardon for sodomy conviction

Bersatu's Padang Serai MP Azman Nasrudin today urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to clarify his recent statement in the Dewan Rakyat that he had never asked for a royal pardon, adding that misleading Parliament is a "serious matter". 

"A statement solemnly made by the prime minister to the Dewan Rakyat is a very serious matter involving public and national interest," he said. 

Noting that Anwar had asked for his statement to be put on record in the Hansard, he said it had been "deliberate and calculated". 

"It should be noted that misleading Parliament is a serious matter and is deemed a contempt of the Dewan under Standing Order 36(12)," he said. 

"Anwar must immediately explain the contradiction between his claim of never seeking a royal pardon in the Dewan yesterday and the fact stated under royal seal that Anwar had sought pardon on two separate occasions."

Azman was referring to a document said to be Anwar's order for immediate pardon and release, signed by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, showing that the PKR president had applied for a pardon twice, in 2015 and 2017.

"Yet, Anwar categorically stated to Parliament that he never sought a royal pardon, which is clearly opposite to what the King’s order of Pardon states," Azman said. 

"Silence is not an option for the prime minister, as the matter involves an official pardons document under royal seal as well as a statement solemnly  made in the Dewan Rakyat."

Anwar said yesterday that he had never applied for a pardon, and that he had received one on the initiative of Sultan Muhammad V.

He said Sultan Muhammad, who had actively followed the developments of his case, called him to tell him personally that he would grant him a full pardon. 

"I did not ask for a pardon because I was punished, let this be clear on the record," he said. 

"It was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the time who took the initiative." 

The document was later shared by lawyer Rafique Rashid, who said it showed that Anwar had applied for a pardon before, and that his request had been rejected.