On April 26, Tuanku Ja'afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman, ruler of Negri Sembilan state, completed his term as Malaysia's 10th king and handed over his responsibilities to Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah of Selangor. The ceremony was carried out with a fair bit of pomp in Kuala Lumpur, but most residents were less concerned about the inauguration than about the inconvenience caused by blocked thoroughfares. A sense of anticipation was not entirely lacking, however. Few observers are oblivious to the fact that the former deputy prime minister's fate may well lie in the hands of the new king. Fired by his boss, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, and prosecuted for corruption, Anwar was recently found guilty and sentenced to six years.
Legal experts disagree on the role the king plays in granting or rejecting pleas for a pardon.
According to the Constitution, the king must consider the advice of the Pardons Board, which is composed of the attorney-general, the minister responsible for the federal territory and up to three other members appointed by the king. It is not a matter which falls within his sole discretion. Lawyer Dominic Puthucheary disagrees. Peter Mooney, a senior member of the Malaysian Bar, agrees with Puthucheary - but only up to a point. He's the head of state, not a political leader.