Agong: Disputing Najib's conditional pardon could amount to insubordination

Published: Nov 7, 2026 12:59 PM

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has decreed that any argument disputing the conditional pardon granted to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak could be tantamount to defying the King’s order.

His Majesty’s warning today came after the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) yesterday called for an immediate temporary suspension of Najib’s house arrest pending clarification of legal questions surrounding his conditional pardon.

The AGC’s advice came hours after Najib’s lawyers...

His Majesty’s warning today came after the Attorney-General’s Chambers yesterday called for an immediate temporary suspension of Najib’s house arrest pending clarification of legal questions surrounding his conditional pardon.

The AGC’s advice came hours after Najib’s lawyers fulfilled the payment of his RM50 million fine, which was raised through a fundraising initiative set up by Umno. The payment was a prerequisite for his house arrest.

In a statement from Istana Negara, His Majesty stressed that the power to grant pardons is a royal prerogative under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution and must be respected in accordance with the principles of constitutional monarchy and the rule of law.

“Given that all conditions in the conditional pardon decree have been met, any argument disputing the order leans towards disobeying the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” the King said.

His Majesty also pointed out that Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar had attended the Sept 18 Pardons Board meeting, which deliberated on Najib’s pardon application, arguing that there should be no uncertainty over the terms of the decision.

Jabatan Peguam Negara Malaysia I Attorney General's Chambers Malaysia Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar 211125 — Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar

“This conditional pardon decree is clear, explicit, without any ambiguity, and is not connected to any other cases against (Najib),” he added.

AGC cites two interpretations

In calling for a temporary halt to Najib’s house arrest, the AGC yesterday said legal queries had arisen over the interpretation of the conditional pardon granted by the King on Sept 18.

The pardon order required Najib to pay a RM50 million fine before serving the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. However, the AGC said this condition could be interpreted in two ways, with significantly different implications for his detention.

Under the first interpretation, payment of the fine settles only the financial penalty, while Najib’s prison sentence for his SRC International conviction continues until Aug 23, 2028, with house arrest serving as an alternative way of completing the remainder of his sentence.

Under the second interpretation, payment of the fine fulfils the condition for the pardon to take full effect, meaning Najib’s entire sentence, including the prison term, is deemed completed.

The AGC also raised the implications of Najib’s separate 1MDB-related charges, citing the High Court’s Oct 14 rejection of his application to postpone the execution of the sentences imposed in that case. Whether any part of his SRC sentence remained, it said, would also have implications for his 1MDB sentence.

Lawyers demand release

In a response to the AGC’s statement, Najib’s lawyers similarly highlighted that Dusuki is a member of the Pardons Board and had attended the Sept 18 meeting.

Cautioning that the AGC’s position could amount to contempt or treason against the King, Messrs Shafee & Co demanded that the Prison Department expedite Najib’s release into house arrest.

The lawyers also challenged the AGC to bring its questions over the conditional pardon before the courts.

Following the king’s decree today, one of the lawyers, Farhan Shafee, affirmed that there is no basis for the relevant authorities to keep Najib in Kajang Prison.

“They must transfer him immediately to his residence at Jalan Langgak Duta to serve his house arrest, as His Majesty has ordered. Daulat Tuanku,” Farhan said in a brief statement.

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The confusion arising was the high court discharge issued which led to AGC confusion. This need to be sorted out

BrownGopher933902:57 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Dusuki baru bangun ke? Where were all the 'interpretation' issues all this time? BTW is the Agung aware that RM30 billion of 1mdb funds are unaccounted for? Maybe he can tell us who is going to pay that.

Just Common Sense02:54 PM, 07 Nov 2026

The public was told that Najib would pay the RM50 million fine and serve the remainder of his SRC sentence under house arrest. Naturally, people want to know why a second interpretation appeared only after payment, especially when the Attorney-General attended the Pardons Board meeting. The King has now clarified that the decree is explicit and does not cover Najib’s other cases. The authorities need to explain how those separate sentences affect its implementation and resolve this promptly. As for Rafizi and Bersama, I am tired of seeing public anger treated as a political opportunity. If you want to speak about accountability, explain clearly whose decision this was and who has the authority to make it. Do not leave people with the impression that PMX can simply cancel or rewrite a royal pardon. I hope this clarification brings some restraint. Malaysians deserve leaders who help them understand an issue, instead of keeping them angry because there is political mileage in it.

Iv4n02:53 PM, 07 Nov 2026

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The confusion arising was the high court discharge issued which led to AGC confusion. This need to be sorted out

BrownGopher933902:57 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Just Common Sense02:54 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Iv4n02:53 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Which is more important - to carry out an order out of obedience to the people with a higher pay grade or to respect the law and the Constitution? The answer is obvious, isn’t it?

Rupert1602:52 PM, 07 Nov 2026

All this energy wasted over a kleptocrat.

boboi02:49 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Today we see the true true color of individuals and their personal interests. I believe that many Rakyat really missed TDM very much, he is alive past 100 for a reason.

Joeganes02:48 PM, 07 Nov 2026

All these while the people were only told the first interpretation. Why all of a sudden, now then come out a second interpretation? Now that YDP Agong is clear that the first interpretation stands, better just implement it without any further ado.

same same02:42 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Two questions: Does the country still have a binding constitution? Or is it now a basket case where might is right?

MS02:34 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Now that the Madani government and Saifuddin gazetted the house as prison, (no need for parliamentary debate beforehand?) does it mean it can house more of the other inmates from the crowded cells of many prisons around in ourcountry? Should the gazette also say the ownership of this new prison is now the government's ?

Mano02:32 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Perhaps it's time for the findings for investigation to the infamous footballers citizenship scandal to be rough to the open. Rakyat is hungry for justice.

KitaBoleh02:31 PM, 07 Nov 2026

The defence team please rein in your rhetoric. All others too, pls refrain from negative comments to or for. The AGC's clarification is perfectly reasonable, and let no party further inflame the issues. The A-GC has not in any way disputed, set aside or intended to suspend the conditional pardon granted by His Majesty the King," it said in a statement. It maintained that seeking judicial clarification on the implementation of Najib's house arrest did not amount to questioning the King's constitutional power of pardon The AGC has clarified that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s power of pardon, under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, is separate from the courts’ authority to interpret and determine the legal effect of an order. Therefore, seeking clarification from the court cannot be equated to usurping or challenging His Majesty’s prerogative of mercy. The AGC also rejected allegations that the Attorney General had acted beyond his jurisdiction or caused Najib to be detained unlawfully, stressing that such claims should not be made without a clear factual basis. The AGC added that an expeditious determination by the court is also essential to safeguard Najib’s own rights. The AGC stated that the responsibility of ensuring that a royal pardon is implemented accurately and in accordance with prevailing court orders is part of the effort to uphold the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the rule of law. It emphasised that it does not intend to engage in a public exchange of allegations regarding matters that should be determined through the judicial process; instead, it remains committed to ensuring that every sentence is carried out lawfully, systematically, and accurately.

Blue Skies02:30 PM, 07 Nov 2026

So it's treason then eh?

OrangeMouse941302:29 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Just comply with Malaysian law nothing great to be given special treatment, the Rakyat made to pay the debts in years to come created by the great pencuri.

Un02:28 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Why our home minister is silence , our AG are daring to voice what is right to suspend Najid House Arrest.

Turnedback02:28 PM, 07 Nov 2026

What a wonderfully, compassionate personality. Now all jailed Malaysian prisoners can apply to reduce their fines and go home to complete their prison terms.

Kamrul02:27 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Ifa building is designated as a prison, can non prisoner also stay inside a prison?

KitaBoleh02:27 PM, 07 Nov 2026

No one is above the law, and any order, even from the very top, should be within our country’s law and Constitution.

Rupert1602:24 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Where else in the world would you find the king or head of the royal family who attest so emphatically to the release of the country's biggest corrupt felon and to serve the remaining of his sentence under house arrest? Madani-government has been enfeebled into submission by its coalition partners to facilitate Najib's release. PH is the party who got Dusuki Mokthar into this muddle and now he has the unenvieable tussle of either sending Najib back to Kajang or release him before 1MDB's sentences could commence.

FellowMalaysian02:23 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Now its clear who was pushing for the pardon in the first place? Plenty of commentators here bashing the DAP for allowing it but at the same time now asking the govt to heed the agongs decree - 3f4b especially

OrangeGoat581002:21 PM, 07 Nov 2026

Don't know what's going on in Malaysia ! Can the AG pls tell us what are the terms of the House Arrest Order ? We citizen have the right to know the details ...

Kecik Mayong02:15 PM, 07 Nov 2026