UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh plans to attend the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya to show personal support for former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak despite UMNO’s decision to cancel a solidarity gathering.
“As a party member, we uphold the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and respect the party’s decision not to hold a gathering.
“However, I will still attend in my individual capacity to show support for Najib, as I have done before,” he told Berita Harian today.
UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced the cancellation in deference to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar advice to respect legal processes and the King’s prerogative powers under the Federal Constitution.
The King has clarified that any pardon or sentence reduction must be submitted by the prisoner and reviewed by the Pardons Board.
Istana Negara stated that the power to grant pardons, reprieves and remissions for any offences committed within the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya is the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
This prerogative power is enshrined under Article 42(1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution. Najib’s appeal regarding a High Court decision dismissing his judicial review application related to the Titah Adendum will be heard this Monday.
The Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has also advised the public against participating in gatherings related to calls for a royal pardon. — Jan 4, 2024
