I did not ask for it, Anwar says of 2018 Royal pardon

KUALA LUMPUR: The royal pardon for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy conviction was granted after former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V followed the developments of the trial, says the Prime Minister.

“I did not ask for the pardon because I was punished. Make it clear in the Hansard,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Dec 20).

“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong called me and said: 'Anwar, I will give you (a) full pardon because I followed the developments of the trial'.

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“I am quoting the phrase used by the King that this is 'a clear travesty of justice, therefore I will give a full pardon as soon as possible',” said Anwar.

The Prime Minister also said he had to clarify the events that led to his release from prison, adding that although he objected to previous sentences on the sodomy charge, he had never sought a pardon.

“We object that (the case) went against the principles of law, including in the first (sodomy) case, where a charge was made up, claiming that the incident took place in a building that did not exist.

“Individuals were forced to become witnesses and investigations were conducted before police reports were made,” he said.

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang), attempted to interject, saying the Prime Minister should focus on the Consolidated Fund (Expenditure on Account Bill) 2022, dubbed the “mini Budget”.

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However, Anwar rebutted and said: “I will get to that soon. I know my remarks may seem harsh because you (the Opposition) have been playing up this issue”.

Anwar was responding to Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (PN-Larut), who on Monday (Dec 19) cited a news report from an Italian website known as Agenzia Nova over Anwar's convictions.

“It insults the Prime Minister but stern action has to be taken. The government has the responsibility to inform the whole world that Tambun has been pardoned by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” Hamzah said, referring to the two sodomy convictions that Anwar had faced.

“Tambun should take action against foreign agencies and not only those in the country. We do not want to be seen as a jaguh kampung (village champion),” added Hamzah.

Anwar was imprisoned over the first sodomy charge in 1998 and another in 2015.

He was pardoned by Sultan Muhammad V after Pakatan Harapan won the GE14 in 2018.