KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 15 -- The decision to defer former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's petition for a royal pardon was guided strictly by the Federal Constitution, the rule of law, and official legal advice, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

Anwar stressed that his participation in the Pardons Board proceedings was bounded by statute and formal guidance provided by the Attorney-General, The Edge reported.

"A prime minister, whoever he is, must have a voice and give his views based on the law, on advice from the Attorney General and on the rules. That is what I did.

"However, we also know that this is within the discretion and authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia), in t...