Royal pardon rejected, Anwar loses Permatang Pauh (UPDATED)

(Malaysian Times) – The Pardons Board has rejected jailed Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s petition for a royal pardon over his sodomy conviction.

On March 16, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had at the Pardons Board meeting rejected the application by Anwar’s family, Senior Federal Counsel Amarjeet Singh told the court, Wednesday.

The petition was filed by Anwar’s family in February after his sentence was upheld by the Federal Court.

The Board’s rejection means that Anwar loses his seat as Permatang Pauh MP.

Anwar, who is also PKR advisor, is currently serving a five-year prison term for sodomy.