PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet only briefly discussed Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's appeal for a royal pardon, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The Home Minister said the decision to grant a pardon is not under the Cabinet's jurisdiction.

"We talked about the matter briefly. Such matters are under the jurisdiction of the Pardons Board," he told reporters at a press conference at Home Ministry headquarters here on Wednesday (Jan 31).

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Asked who would make the announcement, Saifuddin said he had no locus standi to do so.

"I cannot answer on behalf of the Pardons Board," he said.

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Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil previously said that news about Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's appeal for a royal pardon should come from the Pardons Board and not based on sources.

He was referring to a news portal's report, citing a source, claiming that the board had granted a full pardon to Najib. The news portal later removed the report and apologised to its readers