KUALA LUMPUR: "I was the one who brought the application for (Datuk Seri Najib Razak's) royal pardon to be inserted in the Pardons Board agenda," Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He clarified that despite being one of the harshest critics of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, a request for a royal pardon still needed to be presented for consideration.
"Najib has been jailed, but there is room for compassion. When an appeal for a royal pardon is made, I present it to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. We cannot ignore it," he said during Prime Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru) on the issue of Najib's addendum.
Takiyuddin alleged that the government had never told the truth about the existence of the royal addendum.
"When the matter was brought before the Dewan Rakyat, the law minister said she was not involved. The Home Ministry then says we cannot discuss it and that it's hearsay, the federal territories minister, a Pardons board member, denies it.
"Since April, the people have been talking about the addendum. And when my question was accepted to be asked (in Parliament) on Dec 10, the attorney-general issued a statement yesterday saying that it would be sub judice (to discuss).
"What kind of game is this, prime minister? The people of Malaysia demand a clear explanation from you," Takiyuddin said.
In response, Anwar said the Perikatan Nasional chief whip was being a "hypocrite" and that Takiyuddin, as a lawyer himself, should better understand the law.
He explained that even if he chose to answer the question, he could not do so, as he had to respect the court.
"This is a cheap political stunt, (you are being) a hypocrite, suddenly wanting to champion Najib. I've heard your (political) speeches, all out condemning Najib from his head to his toes, and now you want to be a hypocrite?
"Let the courts decide (on Najib's addendum) and I will come back here to answer."
The Tambun member of parliament stressed that a prime minister was not allowed to comment on the king's decision in the Pardon's Board.
"It is his sole discretion in the Pardon's Board meeting. Don't try to score cheap political points," said Anwar.