SHAH ALAM - The Party Amanah Negara (Amanah) has appealed to Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to reject the royal pardon application for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Parti Amanah Negara communications director Khalid Abdul Samad said granting the royal pardon to Najib will send a negative message to the people, the judicial system, and the world about the country's stand on corruption and power abuse.
He said this would also damage the image of Malaysia Madani policy implemented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"We are appealing to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Pardons Board to reject this application so that Najib continues to be imprisoned because of the obvious offences he has committed.
"Only then will the rakyat be confident that the Unity Government and the Institution of Malay Rulers, together with the Agong, want to save our country from the 'pandemic of corruption' and abuse of power that has plagued the country for a long time," he said in a statement on Friday.
On April 9, Umno President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed that the party was trying to find a date to appear before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to present an appeal for pardon against Najib.
Previously, the Umno Supreme Working Council (MKT) requested the courtesy of His Majesty to consider a full pardon for the former president of the party as per the authority provided in accordance with Article 42 (1) of the Federal Constitution.
Commenting further, Khalid stressed that the trust acknowledges and recognises that pardon is the absolute right of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
However, he said, the party's view on the issue is hoped to help His Majesty make a good and accurate decision for the Institution of Malay Rulers and the country as a whole.
Khalid said that pardoning Najib would send the wrong signal that the corruption war is just empty words for political gain.
In the meantime, he said, the pardon issue was brought up by Umno out of a sense of responsibility towards their former president.
He added that although loyalty and remembering the merits of leaders are generally positive traits, in this context it is better for Umno and Pakatan Harapan (PH) to show commitment to the fight against corruption, which is the axis of civil society.
Khalid explained that Umno’s actions seem a little distorted from the vision of the civil society that is fighting together.
"After all, Najib is facing many more cases in court that are being tried. After being pardoned, will he go to jail again if he is found guilty after this? "Or is it considered that he is in a 'maqam' and a special position that is immune to the law?" he questioned.