PUTRAJAYA: Any move to protest the decision granting former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak a conditional pardon to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest could be construed as challenging or defying the constitutional authority of the King.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the conditional pardon, granted under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, reflected the constitutional powers and prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which must be respected by all institutions and members of the public.
“Umno wishes to humbly express its gratitude to His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for His firm decree on the conditional pardon that paved the way for house arrest for His Majesty’s subject, Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“Umno maintains that any action displaying elements of protest, including using the conditional pardon decreed by His Majesty as grounds for taking action, could be construed as challenging or defying His Majesty’s constitutional authority,” he said in a statement.
Zahid said Malaysia was a country governed by the rule of law and that all citizens had a responsibility to uphold the Constitution as long as legal processes remained within its framework.
“Umno will remain steadfast in defending the dignity and sovereignty of His Majesty and the Malay Rulers,” he said.
The Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department said in a statement last September that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia granted Najib a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to payment of a RM50 million fine.
Last Friday, Najib’s lawyer, Muhammad Farhan Shafee, confirmed that the former prime minister had paid the RM50 million fine imposed on him in the SRC International Sdn Bhd funds misappropriation case.
However, the Attorney-General’s Chambers later said implementation of the house arrest arrangement had been temporarily deferred pending further clarification on the discharge order issued for Najib’s house arrest.
Yesterday, High Court judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin issued a fresh orderfor Najib to be transferred from Kajang Prison to his residence in Taman Duta with immediate effect.