Ex-judge, former senior cop appointed to FT Pardons Board, says source

 The appointments allow the Federal Territories Pardons Board to resume hearing pardon petitions.

Article 42(11) of the Federal Constitution provides that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may appoint up to three members to the Federal Territories Pardons Board.

PETALING JAYA:

A retired judge and a former senior police officer have been appointed to the Federal Territories Pardons Board (FTPB), a source says, allowing the board to resume hearing pardon petitions.

The appointment letters were issued early this month for a three-year term, but took effect in late April, the source said.

Under Article 42(6) of the Federal Constitution, all board members hold office for three years and are eligible for reappointment.

Article 42(11) also provides that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may appoint up to three members to the FTPB.

Earlier this month, FMT reported that the positions had been left vacant, as the appointments are made on the advice of the federal government in accordance with the constitutional scheme.

Pursuant to Article 42(8) of the Constitution, the FTPB meets in the presence of the king, who presides over it. The Constitution does not prescribe how often the board must sit each year.

However, the full quorum of up to five members may sit to deliberate on whether to grant pardons, reprieves and respites, or to remit, suspend and commute sentences imposed by the courts, the source added.

Article 42(5) provides that the attorney-general is a member of the board.

Hannah Yeoh currently sits on the board by virtue of her position as federal territories minister.

It remains unclear whether the FTPB will also hear former prime minister Najib Razak’s pardon application.

In March, FMT reported that Najib had filed a fresh clemency application to the board seeking a pardon. - FMT