Latest news with #ElectionOffencesAct1954
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
AGC: No issue of Anwar being disqualified as PM, MP
In a statement today, the AGC said this was because the royal pardon granted by the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong stated that Anwar had been fully pardoned and regarded as a person who had never committed any offence. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 14): The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) said there is no issue of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim being disqualified as an MP and Prime Minister. In a statement today, the AGC said this was because the royal pardon granted by the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong stated that Anwar had been fully pardoned and regarded as a person who had never committed any offence. 'Any challenge to the election of an MP should be through an election petition, as provided for under Article 118 of the Federal Constitution, and must be filed within the time frame set out under Section 38 of the Election Offences Act 1954,' it said. The AGC was responding to a suit filed by former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P. Waytha Moorthy, who is seeking to nullify Anwar's election as Tambun MP and his appointment as Prime Minister. It said Waytha Moorthy's action was based on the argument that the pardon granted to Anwar did not include the annulment of his disqualification under Article 48(1)(e) of the Federal Constitution. 'The AGC respects the right of any individual to file an action in court. In this matter, the Court of Appeal, in the case of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim v Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz [2023] 2 MLJ 545, decided that the King has the power to grant a pardon in respect of a conviction and sentence,' it said. On Aug 12, Waytha Moorthy filed an originating summons in the High Court here seeking a declaration that Anwar's appointment as Prime Minister on Nov 24, 2022, was unconstitutional, null and void. The Hindraf chairman is also seeking a declaration that Anwar's election as Tambun MP in the 15th General Election was also unconstitutional, null and void. – Bernama AGC Anwar Ibrahim disqualified mp PM Waytha Moorthy
Barnama
2 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
No Issue Of Anwar Being Disqualified As PM, MP
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) said there is no issue of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim being disqualified as an MP and Prime Minister. In a statement today, the AGC said this was because the royal pardon granted by the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong stated that Anwar had been fully pardoned and regarded as a person who had never committed any offence. 'Any challenge to the election of an MP should be through an election petition, as provided for under Article 118 of the Federal Constitution, and must be filed within the time frame set out under Section 38 of the Election Offences Act 1954,' it said.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
AGC: Pardon fully restored Anwar's eligibility as MP, PM
PETALING JAYA: The Attorney General's Chambers has rejected claims in a lawsuit that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should have been disqualified from serving as an MP and as Prime Minister. It said that a royal pardon in 2018 fully restored Anwar's eligibility to serve. In a statement Thursday (Aug 10), the AGC said the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong had granted Anwar a full pardon, reinstating his legal status "as a person who has never committed any offence". This meant that there was no basis for disqualification under Article 48(1)(e) of the Federal Constitution, it added. The AGC issued the statement following a suit filed by lawyer and former minister P. Waytha Moorthy, who is seeking to nullify Anwar's election as Tambun MP on Nov 19, 2022, and his appointment as the 10th Prime Minister five days later. Waytha argued that the pardon did not expressly exempt Anwar from the constitutional five-year ban on contesting elections after a prison release. He claimed that without such an exemption, Anwar should have been barred from standing in the 15th General Election. Citing the 2023 Court of Appeal's decision in Anwar Ibrahim v Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, the AGC said that the King held the constitutional authority to pardon both the conviction and the sentence. "Therefore, there is no question of Datuk Seri Anwar being disqualified as a member of the Dewan Rakyat or as prime minister," it said. The AGC further said that any challenge to an MP's election must be made through an election petition under Article 118 of the Federal Constitution and within the time frame stipulated in Section 38 of the Election Offences Act 1954.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
A-GC: Full pardon erased all bars on Anwar, making lawsuit baseless
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's royal pardon in 2018 fully restored his eligibility to serve as a member of parliament and as Prime Minister, the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) has affirmed, rejecting claims in a lawsuit that he should have been disqualified. In a statement, the A-GC said the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong had granted Anwar a full pardon, reinstating his legal status "as a person who has never committed any offence." This, it added, meant there was no basis for disqualification under Article 48(1)(e) of the Federal Constitution. The clarification follows a suit filed by lawyer and former minister P. Waytha Moorthy, who is seeking to nullify Anwar's election as Tambun MP on Nov 19, 2022, and his appointment as prime minister five days later. Waytha argued that the pardon did not expressly exempt Anwar from the constitutional five-year ban on contesting elections after a prison release. The former cabinet minister, who served under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad from 2018 to 2020, claimed that without such an exemption, Anwar should have been barred from standing in the 15th General Election. Citing the Court of Appeal's decision in Anwar Ibrahim v Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz [2023] 2 MLJ 545, the A-GC stressed that the King held the constitutional authority to pardon both the conviction and the sentence. "Therefore, there is no question of Datuk Seri Anwar being disqualified as a member of the Dewan Rakyat or as prime minister," it said. The A-GC further said that any challenge to an MP's election must be made through an election petition under Article 118 of the Federal Constitution and within the time frame stipulated in Section 38 of the Election Offences Act 1954.
Malay Mail
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Bersih flags alleged misuse of govt resources in Ayer Kuning by-election, cites events attended by Zahid, Mat Sabu and Saarani
KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 – Electoral reform group Bersih has today raised alarm over several alleged abuses of government resources during the campaign period for the Ayer Kuning by-election in Perak. In a statement, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections cited three key incidents that it said violated the principles of free and fair elections, potentially undermining the integrity of the electoral process. 'Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi pledged on April 12 that development projects in Ayer Kuning would continue if the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate wins the by-election,' Bersih said, describing the statement as a conditional promise that constitutes an abuse of government resources. Bersih said at a separate event in Tapah, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu was reportedly seen distributing 'duit raya' to attendees during a meet-and-greet session organised by the Farmers' Organisation Authority. It said could be considered inducement of voters under the Election Offences Act 1954. Bersih also criticised the presence of Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad at an official state programme titled 'Town Hall with Youth' at the Tapah Sports Complex. Saarani had reportedly appeared alongside the BN candidate, alleging this amounted to a misuse of government machinery for campaign purposes. 'These incidents reflect a clear breach of the principle separating government functions from party activities,' the group said. Bersih called on the Election Commission to issue firm guidelines to prevent such conduct and urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate possible elements of political corruption related to the campaign. The group further warned that such abuses of power during elections could erode public trust and damage democratic processes. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had defended Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming for announcing the RM6.13 million in allocations for 33 development and public infrastructure projects in Tapah. Anwar clarified that the announcement of development project allocations was made before the nomination day for the upcoming Ayer Kuning by-election, and warned that any announcement of government allocations must not be made during an election period. The Ayer Kuning by-election was called following the death of incumbent Ishsam Shahruddin on February 22. Early voting starts today. This by-election sees a three-cornered fight between BN candidate Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir; Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Abd Muhaimin Malek; and Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) candidate Bawani KS.
