PAS stands firm on pro-Najib rally despite Umno's cancellation

Monday 06 Jan 2025

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 4): PAS is going to go ahead with a planned rally on Monday to show support for jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, despite Umno pulling out from the event on Friday night following remarks made by the National Palace and the police.

In a statement on Saturday, PAS said it agrees with and respects the National Palace's statement that the power to grant pardons is a prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as provided for under the Federal Constitution.

But the Islamist party is also of the view that attending the solidarity rally for Najib does not contradict or reduce the meaning and purpose of the royal decree, nor is it unconstitutional or interferes with the process and operation of the Pardons Board.

The party's secretary general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the gathering itself is about the peaceful attendance of the common people at a public place — an open court — as a sign of solidarity with Najib at the determining moment in his effort to secure his right, justice and protection under the law, in the belief that the same prerogative powers have given certain flexibility to the sentence he serves, through a document known as "Titah Addendum" (royal addendum).

"Unfortunately, there is reasonable doubt that this addendum order seems to been betrayed and hidden by the certain parties in power to the point of denying the rights and flexibility given, thus forcing Najib to apply to the court through a judicial review for an order that the government confirm its existence and subsequently take further action in accordance with it.

"Therefore, this solidarity gathering is nothing but aimed at defending the powers and the prerogative of the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from manipulation and non-transparency, besides supporting Najib's legitimate efforts to seek justice under the law in accordance with the same powers and prerogatives.

"With that, PAS has no intention of reviewing the calls that have been made in relation to the peaceful attendance of its members on the specified day, time and place," Takiyuddin said.

In a late statement issued on Friday, Umno said it had pulled out of the planned rally, to uphold the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong regarding its prerogative in granting pardons following a statement issued by the National Palace, and in accordance with the directive of the inspector general of police (IGP) for the public not to attend such rallies.

"Umno has full confidence in the grace and wisdom of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in delivering full justice to Datuk Seri Najib Razak," said Umno secretary general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Earlier on the same day, the National Palace issued a statement saying that any prisoner seeking clemency or a reduction in one’s sentence must submit an application to the Pardons Board for consideration, and that it was the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to grant pardons, reprieve and respite for offences committed, based on the advice of the board the King chairs.

Following that, IGP Tan Sri Razarudin Husain issued a statement to urge the public to respect the constitutional processes and refrain from participating in rallies organised by any parties.

Najib's supporters and politicians from various parties had planned to attend the rally to show solidarity with Najib, who will be attend a hearing at the Court of Appeal here on Monday, for his appeal over the High Court's dismissal of his application for a judicial review involving an alleged royal addendum issued by the previous King that purportedly allowed Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

Najib is currently serving a reduced six-year jail term and a RM50 million fine after having been found guilty of graft charges involving RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd. His jail sentence was halved from its original 12 years, and his fine was reduced from RM210 million after he received a partial royal pardon in February last year.

Edited ByTan Choe Choe

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