Paragraph 1: The Cancelled UMNO Rally and Royal Decree
The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) abandoned its planned rally outside the Court of Appeal in support of its jailed former leader, Najib Razak. The rally, scheduled to coincide with a court hearing concerning Najib’s potential house arrest, was cancelled in deference to a royal decree issued by the Malaysian King, Sultan Ibrahim. This decree emphasized the proper procedure for pardon or sentence reduction applications, which must be submitted to the Pardons Board chaired by the King. UMNO’s secretary-general, Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, stressed the party’s commitment to upholding the institution of the Malay Rulers and respecting the King’s authority in matters of justice.
Paragraph 2: PAS’s Defiant Solidarity Gathering
In contrast to UMNO’s decision, the opposition party Parti-Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) affirmed its intention to proceed with its own gathering in support of Najib. PAS framed their planned rally as an act of defending the King’s prerogative powers against perceived manipulation and lack of transparency. They also positioned it as support for Najib’s legal rights, particularly concerning an alleged royal addendum order related to his house arrest appeal. PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan maintained that their gathering would be peaceful and would not interfere with the Pardons Board’s proceedings, emphasizing its role as a demonstration of public support for Najib’s pursuit of justice.
Paragraph 3: The King’s Prerogative of Pardon and Najib’s Appeal
The core issue revolves around the King’s constitutional authority to grant pardons and commute sentences, as outlined in Articles 42(1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution. The royal decree clarified the process, stating that applications must be submitted to the Pardons Board, which the King chairs. Najib’s current legal battle involves an appeal related to an alleged royal addendum order, purportedly allowing him to serve his remaining sentence under house arrest. The existence and validity of this alleged order are central to the ongoing legal proceedings.
Paragraph 4: Najib’s Conviction and Previous Sentence Reduction
Najib Razak is serving a reduced prison sentence for misappropriating funds belonging to SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). His original 12-year sentence and RM210 million fine were reduced to six years and RM50 million, respectively, by the then-King, Sultan Al-Sultan Abdullah, shortly before his abdication. Najib’s legal team has been pursuing various avenues to secure his release, including the introduction of new evidence and the appeal regarding the alleged royal addendum.
Paragraph 5: The Alleged Royal Addendum and Legal Challenges
Central to Najib’s current appeal is the alleged royal addendum order, which purportedly grants him house arrest. Najib’s son, Nizar Najib, submitted an affidavit claiming that the Pahang sultan had informed him of the existence of such an order. However, the High Court previously dismissed this evidence as hearsay, leading to Najib’s current appeal to the Court of Appeal. The legal wrangling centers around the admissibility of this evidence and the validity of the purported order itself.
Paragraph 6: The Police Chief’s Call for Respect of Constitutional Processes
In response to the planned rallies, Police Chief Razarudin Husain urged the public to respect constitutional processes and refrain from participating in any demonstrations related to the case. He cited the royal decree emphasizing the established procedures for pardon applications and implicitly cautioned against actions that could be perceived as undermining the King’s authority or interfering with the judicial process. The police chief’s statement underscores the sensitivity surrounding the case and the importance of adhering to legal procedures in pursuing justice.
