KUALA LUMPUR — PAS will proceed with its solidarity rally for jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak outside the Palace of Justice on Monday, despite a royal reminder on the King’s prerogative to grant pardons.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan in a statement today said the rally will not disrespect the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree issued yesterday stating that all pardons application must go through the Pardons Board, and that the King holds prerogative in the granting of pardons.
Instead, PAS’ rally on Monday while the Court of Appeal hears Najib’s appeal on a purported royal addendum order for his house arrest, is aimed at upholding the King’s power and prerogative to grant pardons, Takiyuddin said.
“The solidarity gathering for former prime minister Najib in no way contradicts or diminishes the meaning and purpose of the royal decree, nor any provision of the Constitution, nor disrupts the process and operation of the Pardons Board.
“Therefore, it is nothing but aimed at defending the power and prerogatives of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from manipulation and lack of transparency, in addition to supporting all legitimate efforts by Najib to seek justice under the law in accordance with the same power and prerogatives,” Takiyuddin said.
Stressing “justice” for Najib, Takiyuddin also said the former Umno president was now “forced” to go through the court system because “certain parties in power” had denied him his rights under the addendum order for him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
PAS’ statement comes after Umno called off its own solidarity rally for Najib.
Umno Secretary-General Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki last night said the party made the decision to cancel the gathering following the King’s remarks and directives from the Inspector-General of Police not to hold any rallies.
Istana Negara yesterday issued a statement that applications for pardon or remission must be initiated by the prisoner concerned and submitted to the Pardons Board, which is chaired by the Agong.
His Majesty holds the prerogative, as outlined under Article 42(1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution, to grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations for offences committed in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya, upon the advice of the Pardons Board.
The palace urged all parties to respect the Federal Constitution and adhere to legal processes, a reminder seen as a veiled response to solidarity rallies planned by Umno and PAS.
Najib is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence in Kajang Prison for corruption related to the SRC International case. He is appealing the high court’s decision to dismiss his judicial review seeking the government’s confirmation and implementation of the addendum order to be placed under house arrest. – January 4, 2025