Pardons Board meeting today? I wasn't aware, says minister
B Nantha Kumar
Published: May 15, 2026 3:16 PM
Updated: 6:05 PM
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said she had no information regarding any meeting of the Federal Territories Pardons Board.
“I was not aware that an FT Pardons Board meeting would be held today,” she told reporters briefly after attending the launch of the North Segambut KTMB Station in Kuala Lumpur. Also present was Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Earlier, rumours circulated that the meeting would convene today to discuss former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s latest pardon application.
This followed a report by a portal claiming that a retired judge and a former senior police officer had been appointed to the board, enabling the board to resume hearing the pardon petition.
Under Article 42(6) of the Federal Constitution, board members are appointed for a three-year term and can be reappointed.
Yeoh sits on the board in her capacity as the federal territories minister.
Published: May 15, 2026 3:16 PM
Updated: 6:05 PM
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said she had no information regarding any meeting of the Federal Territories Pardons Board.
“I was not aware that an FT Pardons Board meeting would be held today,” she told reporters briefly after attending the launch of the North Segambut KTMB Station in Kuala Lumpur. Also present was Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Earlier, rumours circulated that the meeting would convene today to discuss former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s latest pardon application.
This followed a report by a portal claiming that a retired judge and a former senior police officer had been appointed to the board, enabling the board to resume hearing the pardon petition.
Under Article 42(6) of the Federal Constitution, board members are appointed for a three-year term and can be reappointed.
Yeoh sits on the board in her capacity as the federal territories minister.
Launch of the North Segambut KTMB Station in Kuala Lumpur today
Previously, Free Malaysia Today reported that Najib had submitted a fresh pardon application to the board during the Ramadan month, around March 2026, with a copy also sent to Istana Negara.
The application reportedly sought a full discharge from all criminal convictions. However, it remains unclear whether the application concerns both the SRC International and 1MDB cases.
However, senior lawyer Shafee Abdullah denied that a new pardon application had been filed by Najib, who is currently serving his sentence at Kajang Prison.
Conviction, reduction, and royal addendum
Najib was convicted in 2020 on seven charges involving abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering linked to RM42 million in SRC funds.
He was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and fined RM210 million. The son of Malaysia’s second prime minister began serving his prison sentence after all appeals were dismissed by the Federal Court.
Previously, Free Malaysia Today reported that Najib had submitted a fresh pardon application to the board during the Ramadan month, around March 2026, with a copy also sent to Istana Negara.
The application reportedly sought a full discharge from all criminal convictions. However, it remains unclear whether the application concerns both the SRC International and 1MDB cases.
However, senior lawyer Shafee Abdullah denied that a new pardon application had been filed by Najib, who is currently serving his sentence at Kajang Prison.
Conviction, reduction, and royal addendum
Najib was convicted in 2020 on seven charges involving abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering linked to RM42 million in SRC funds.
He was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and fined RM210 million. The son of Malaysia’s second prime minister began serving his prison sentence after all appeals were dismissed by the Federal Court.
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak
However, in 2024, the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced Najib’s prison sentence to six years, while the fine was reduced to RM50 million following his earlier pardon application.
Najib filed a judicial review application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court the same year, claiming an addendum issued by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong allowed him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
On Dec 22 last year, judge Alice Loke dismissed the application, ruling that the addendum was invalid under the law. Najib has appealed the decision.
Flood retention pond case
In a separate development, Yeoh, who is also the Segambut MP, said she is still waiting for an MACC report regarding investigations into allegations that six flood retention ponds around the capital had their land status changed to allow for development projects.
“At the time, we were the opposition, and I also lodged a report with the MACC.
“So I need to get an update from the MACC before I comment,” she said when asked about the status of the probe.
In 2021, local media reported that Yeoh had urged the MACC to take immediate action over the allegations, which she said contradicted the actual purpose of the ponds.
She also reportedly said the 2019 Auditor-General’s Report revealed that between 2015 and 2020, the mayor approved 943 planning permissions that were not in line with the Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.
Subsequently, in January 2022, then chief commissioner Azam Baki said the MACC would investigate the matter from various angles, including possible elements of corruption and abuse of power.
However, in 2024, the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced Najib’s prison sentence to six years, while the fine was reduced to RM50 million following his earlier pardon application.
Najib filed a judicial review application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court the same year, claiming an addendum issued by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong allowed him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
On Dec 22 last year, judge Alice Loke dismissed the application, ruling that the addendum was invalid under the law. Najib has appealed the decision.
Flood retention pond case
In a separate development, Yeoh, who is also the Segambut MP, said she is still waiting for an MACC report regarding investigations into allegations that six flood retention ponds around the capital had their land status changed to allow for development projects.
“At the time, we were the opposition, and I also lodged a report with the MACC.
“So I need to get an update from the MACC before I comment,” she said when asked about the status of the probe.
In 2021, local media reported that Yeoh had urged the MACC to take immediate action over the allegations, which she said contradicted the actual purpose of the ponds.
She also reportedly said the 2019 Auditor-General’s Report revealed that between 2015 and 2020, the mayor approved 943 planning permissions that were not in line with the Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.
Subsequently, in January 2022, then chief commissioner Azam Baki said the MACC would investigate the matter from various angles, including possible elements of corruption and abuse of power.
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