KUALA LUMPUR – The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, has urged the public to view the royal prerogative of mercy with clarity and calm, warning against interpreting it emotionally or politically.
In a recent social media post, the ruler reminded the nation that the power of pardon, as enshrined under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, is not a political gift or act of personal sympathy, but rather a legitimate constitutional tool within the justice system. He emphasised that this mechanism serves as a final balance in a system that is otherwise punitive.
Sultan Abdullah highlighted that reducing a sentence does not erase a conviction, expunge criminal records, or undermine the rule of law, which forms the bedrock of Malaysia’s governance.
“The granting of pardons or sentence reductions is also not exclusive to any one individual, political party, or position,” the Sultan said. “Each year, hundreds of prisoners, from both serious and minor offences, receive pardons or sentence reductions from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers.”
The Sultan’s remarks were made during the 120th meeting of the Pahang Council of Regency at the Grand Darul Makmur Hotel. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, was also in attendance.
Further elaborating on the process, the Sultan clarified that decisions regarding pardons are not made unilaterally. Instead, they are the result of deliberations by the Pardons Board, which includes representatives from key state and national institutions, ensuring a robust system of checks and balances.
The Sultan also reminded that in the tradition of Malaysia’s constitutional monarchy, the Ruler is not an instrument of public sentiment or political pressure. Rather, the monarch serves as a guardian of justice, calming tensions when emotions run high and restoring balance in moments of political unrest.
“The power of pardon should not be seen as a weakness of the system,” His Royal Highness said. “It serves as a reminder that this country is not governed by the whims of social media or public anger, but by the Constitution.”
The Sultan concluded with a prayer for Malaysia to remain a principled and resolute nation, with the state of Pahang continuing to be under Allah’s grace. – February 2, 2026