“What political pressure is Muhyiddin talking about?” Puad scoffs

“What political pressure is Muhyiddin talking about?” Puad scoffs





DATUK Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi has rubbished former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s claim that UMNO is using “political pressure” in its efforts to secure a royal pardon for jailed leader Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

In a Facebook post, the UMNO Supreme Council member said that Muhyiddin had forgotten that he had previously conspired with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to carry out political as well as selective prosecution on several party leaders including Najib.

“This involves the highest level of conspiracy involving the controversial appointment of the Chief Justice and the Attorney-General,” said Puad.


“This is why Najib has been denied a fair trial as mentioned by the Chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak [Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli].”

Abdul Rahman was the sole dissenting voice in the five-member panel’s decision to reject Najib’s application for a review of his conviction and sentence in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case on March 31.

The majority 4-1 verdict meant that Najib will continue to serve his 12-year jail term in the RM42 mil SRC International corruption case.

“What UMNO did was not political pressure but political solidarity that grants power to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as stipulated in Article 42(1) and 42(2) of the Federal Constitution,” Puad continued.

“Muhyiddin knows that His Majesty the King will not bow down to political pressure. After all, Muhyiddin had used political pressure to prolong the state of emergency and suspend Parliament session [in 2021 during COVID-19] although it failed and was rejected.”

Puad further threw shade on how the Bersatu president had exerted political pressure saying that he had the numbers to form a government after the 15th general election (GE15).

“[Muhyiddin] had rejected the [Agong’s suggestion to form a] unity government but the Agong was wiser and did not succumb to political pressure.”

Insisting that there is no conflict of interest in the UMNO memorandum, Puad said it is the sole prerogative of the Agong to grant pardons after consulting the Pardons Board.

“Muhyiddin’s accusation is in fact political pressure to prevent the royal pardon from happening,” he noted. – April 10, 2023