Pardons Board Committee Proceedings On Anwar Should Be Finalised By Wednesday - Malaysia's King

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia's King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V hopes that all procedures relating to the proceedings of the Pardons Board Committee for a royal pardon for Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim will be finalised on Wednesday. Istana Negara Datuk Pengkalan Bijaya Diraja Wan Ahmad Dahlan Ab Aziz said in a statement Monday night that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was pleased and satisfied with all procedures related to the proceedings of the Pardons Board Committee on the matter that should be finalised Tuesday 11 am. “However, the Prime Minister’s Office has called for the meeting to be postponed to Wednesday (May 16) at 11am. “The Yang di-Pertuan Agong wishes that this matter will be finalised on Wednesday before the start of the Ramadan month,” he said. Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said at a press conference at Perdana Leadership Foundation this evening Anwar’s release was 'a little delayed' as the pardon processes must be carried out according to the law. Meanwhile, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said he had been informed by Dr Mahathir this morning that all preparations related to the documentation had been made. “However, in the afternoon we were informed that there was a delay and afterwards Dr Mahathir spoke to Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and gave her assurance that the meeting would convene on Wednesday,” he told reporters after visiting Anwar at the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital Tuesday afternoon. In the meantime, Saifuddin said, the party would organise a welcome programme once the Pardons Board Committee agreed with Anwar’s appeal and acquittal. In 2015, Anwar was sentenced to five years’ jail after the Federal Court upheld his guilty verdict. Anwar, who has been serving his sentence in Sungai Buloh Prison, is scheduled to be released on June 8. -- BERNAMA