Bar Council ‘insolent’, acting as ‘pressure group’ over Najib pardon, says Zaid
Zaid Ibrahim says he is saddened by undue pressure brought to bear on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the exercise of his power to grant pardons.
PETALING JAYA: Senior lawyer Zaid Ibrahim has castigated the Bar Council for its statement suggesting that a royal pardon for Najib Razak would make a mockery of the rule of law and administration of justice in the country.
“Once again, we are hearing pressure from various pressure groups, including the Bar Council,” said Zaid. “What are their motives?”
He said the power of clemency was an honour given by law to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay rulers, which all Malaysians as their subjects must respect.
“(Former) US president Donald Trump himself had pardoned 70 individuals in just one term of office, and yet, we have not heard Americans claim their system of justice was flawed,” he said on Facebook, noting that even members of the US military who had caused the death of children in Baghdad were granted pardons.
“(The American people have) never claimed their system of justice was impaired. This is because they respect the power of clemency granted to their head of state.
“What saddens me is that undue pressure is being brought to bear on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong not to exercise pardon (in Najib’s favour).
“This is a show of insolence.
“We must respect His Majesty’s judgment because he is the King, our head of state,” he said, adding that those offering advice now will later start questioning any decision handed down by the King.
Zaid called on Umno to be bold and speak out firmly to defend the King and the Malay rulers against those who question them in the exercise of their powers.
“We must stand up for our principles, so that Umno is not viewed as weak,” he said.
The Bar Council yesterday issued a statement saying Najib did not deserve a royal pardon as he had only begun to serve his jail sentence, unlike other jailed politicians, specifically naming Anwar Ibrahim, Harun Idris and Mokhtar Hashim, who had served a substantial part of their jail sentence before being pardoned and released.
Its president, Karen Cheah, also said a full pardon at this stage would be perceived as premature as Najib was still facing numerous other charges, and that it would set a “dangerous precedent” that powerful politicians were “above the law or beyond reproach”.
PETALING JAYA: Senior lawyer Zaid Ibrahim has castigated the Bar Council for its statement suggesting that a royal pardon for Najib Razak would make a mockery of the rule of law and administration of justice in the country.
“Once again, we are hearing pressure from various pressure groups, including the Bar Council,” said Zaid. “What are their motives?”
He said the power of clemency was an honour given by law to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay rulers, which all Malaysians as their subjects must respect.
“(Former) US president Donald Trump himself had pardoned 70 individuals in just one term of office, and yet, we have not heard Americans claim their system of justice was flawed,” he said on Facebook, noting that even members of the US military who had caused the death of children in Baghdad were granted pardons.
“(The American people have) never claimed their system of justice was impaired. This is because they respect the power of clemency granted to their head of state.
“What saddens me is that undue pressure is being brought to bear on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong not to exercise pardon (in Najib’s favour).
“This is a show of insolence.
“We must respect His Majesty’s judgment because he is the King, our head of state,” he said, adding that those offering advice now will later start questioning any decision handed down by the King.
Zaid called on Umno to be bold and speak out firmly to defend the King and the Malay rulers against those who question them in the exercise of their powers.
“We must stand up for our principles, so that Umno is not viewed as weak,” he said.
The Bar Council yesterday issued a statement saying Najib did not deserve a royal pardon as he had only begun to serve his jail sentence, unlike other jailed politicians, specifically naming Anwar Ibrahim, Harun Idris and Mokhtar Hashim, who had served a substantial part of their jail sentence before being pardoned and released.
Its president, Karen Cheah, also said a full pardon at this stage would be perceived as premature as Najib was still facing numerous other charges, and that it would set a “dangerous precedent” that powerful politicians were “above the law or beyond reproach”.
This time I have to agree with Zaid. The Bar Council would do well to refrain from behaving as if it has an agenda against Najib. Or appearing to pressure the Agong
ReplyDeleteMoreover, I am pretty sure the Agong will not countenance a pardon at this stage for 2 reasons; one, Najib has been in prison too short a time to deserve clemency (Bar Council's argument) and two, Najib has many more pending cases.
It would make the Agong look stupid if he grants a pardon and the thing Najib is found guilty in another case. What then should the Agong do?
My theory is that the Agong will very likely only consider Najib's pardon once all his cases are disposed. And this very likely will take several years as exemplified by the SRC case.
Also the Bar Council must not think the Agong is a stupid man. He has to uphold the dignity of his office too.
Both the US Presidential Pardons and UK Queen's Pardons have received public scrutiny.
ReplyDeleteThe powers of Pardon in those two instances are not subject to any other Body's review, but this is 2022, it is impossible to escape public comment.
others may be insolent, but you are insulting by assuming the king do not have a mind of his own to make informed decisions
ReplyDelete