FOR too long, the 1MDB scandal has been used in campaigns as the face of corruption. Votes and hearts were won by those who paint themselves as the champions of the poor, or the vanquisher of systemic evil.
So it comes as no surprise that the decision to allow Najib to serve his sentence under house arrest has triggered a wave of anger, frustration and disbelief among Malaysians online.
Amid the public reaction, another question has emerged. Who should be held responsible for the decision?
Political narratives can go wild at times, and it appears Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is being reframed as the man instrumental towards Najib’s release.
But Senior Political Advisor to the Prime Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, has pushed back against that interpretation.
In a short video statement responding to criticism, Zafrul said the Prime Minister did not have the authority to decide whether Najib should receive a pardon.
Perdana Menteri tidak mempunyai kuasa untuk memutuskan pengampunan Datuk Seri Najib.
Kuasa pengampunan terletak di bawah Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Jangan campur-adukkan bidang kuasa Perdana Menteri dengan kuasa Yang di-Pertuan Agong.#TZA pic.twitter.com/3J21vB5cZE
— Tengku Zafrul 🇲🇾 (@tzafrul_aziz) September 19, 2026
Zafrul pointed to Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, which provides for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s pardoning powers for offences committed in the Federal Territories, exercised through the Pardons Board.
The Attorney General’s Chambers has similarly stated that Article 42 gives the King powers to grant pardons, reprieves and respites in the Federal Territories.
“Do not confuse the powers of the Prime Minister with those of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said.
The political arguments, however, are unlikely to disappear simply because the constitutional position has been explained.
“The PM needs to intervene if the Agong’s decision doesn’t align with the people. People first,” said @neonXecho.
@vickneswarensb, on the other hand, believes Zafrul should be standing with the people instead of coming up with a lecture.
But @panzer194045 claims the sultan acts under the advice of some people.
@LohongMinda decided that his thoughts were best presented by an illustration:
Then there was @AfralAbdullah pointing out that the situation may not be so simple.
For Malaysians watching the controversy unfold, the reactions remain sharply divided, from anger and disbelief over Najib’s move to house arrest, to supporters putting their money where their loyalty is and helping raise the RM50 mil needed to meet the condition of his pardon.
And lost somewhere in between is the increasingly heated argument over who should, and should not, be blamed for the decision.—Sept 20, 2026
Main image: Tengku Zafrul (Facebook)
