Wee: Will DAP quit govt in protest if Najib granted house arrest?
Published: Dec 15, 2024 6:40 PM
Summary:
- MCA president Wee Ka Siong asked if DAP would quit the government in protest should Najib be given house arrest.
- He also asked if the government still prioritises transparency considering the evasion of questions related to the purported royal addendum's existence.
- He wants DAP to make a move to amend the Federal Constitution if it is unhappy with the Agong's pardon powers.
MCA president Wee Ka Siong asked DAP whether it would quit the unity government in protest should former premier Najib Abdul Razak be granted a house arrest.
In a statement on Facebook, Wee said the government should address the questions raised by many over the purported existence of a royal addendum issued by the Pahang sultan during the latter's tenure as the Agong.
He asked if transparency was still a priority for the government in light of its evading these questions for nearly a year.
"If DAP believes the king should not have the final say on pardons, they should propose a motion in Parliament to amend the Constitution and either limit or remove the king’s pardon powers.
"Furthermore, if a royal addendum is issued and Najib is granted house arrest, DAP must clarify: Will it quit the government in protest, or will it use this as an excuse to criticise while staying in power?" he said.
Directly addressing Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, Wee said there is a distinction between royal pardons and the judicial system, which are separate domains of power.
Lim Lip Eng
Earlier, Lim took aim at Wee by calling him an empty "Milo tin”.
Lim demanded that Wee be transparent and clarify whether the MCA supports Najib serving his sentence at home.
Wee had previously taken Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to task for refusing to confirm the royal addendum.
Anwar cited legal obstacles when he refused to comment on the issue.
However, the prime minister said as the matter continued to arise, he had mooted for the current Agong to deliberate.
What is govt hiding?
In his statement, Wee expressed worries that the government could be hiding more matters.
"If the government can hide a royal decree for nearly a year, what else might they be hiding? I don’t know, do you?" he said.
He also said that if such an addendum exists, it must be followed as delaying a royal decree is a violation of the Federal Constitution.
"Whether you or I agree with the king's decree is irrelevant, as the Federal Constitution grants the king sole discretion in such matters.
"Similarly, whether we support Najib serving his sentence at home or what we think of him personally is also irrelevant.
"This is a royal decree under the Agong’s constitutional pardon powers, and it must be respected.
"If you believe the former Agong made the wrong decision, then address the matter with the Pahang sultan," he said.
On Dec 5, Najib's son Mohd Nizar filed an affidavit affirming that the Pahang sultan told him about the existence of a royal addendum for his father to serve the remainder of his six-year jail sentence as house arrest.
It is understood that there is a court order restricting the public from gaining access to the document via online file search at the judiciary's official website.
Earlier, Lim took aim at Wee by calling him an empty "Milo tin”.
Lim demanded that Wee be transparent and clarify whether the MCA supports Najib serving his sentence at home.
Wee had previously taken Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to task for refusing to confirm the royal addendum.
Anwar cited legal obstacles when he refused to comment on the issue.
However, the prime minister said as the matter continued to arise, he had mooted for the current Agong to deliberate.
What is govt hiding?
In his statement, Wee expressed worries that the government could be hiding more matters.
"If the government can hide a royal decree for nearly a year, what else might they be hiding? I don’t know, do you?" he said.
He also said that if such an addendum exists, it must be followed as delaying a royal decree is a violation of the Federal Constitution.
"Whether you or I agree with the king's decree is irrelevant, as the Federal Constitution grants the king sole discretion in such matters.
"Similarly, whether we support Najib serving his sentence at home or what we think of him personally is also irrelevant.
"This is a royal decree under the Agong’s constitutional pardon powers, and it must be respected.
"If you believe the former Agong made the wrong decision, then address the matter with the Pahang sultan," he said.
On Dec 5, Najib's son Mohd Nizar filed an affidavit affirming that the Pahang sultan told him about the existence of a royal addendum for his father to serve the remainder of his six-year jail sentence as house arrest.
It is understood that there is a court order restricting the public from gaining access to the document via online file search at the judiciary's official website.
There is already a Court case initiated by Najib demanding the Government recognise the provenance of the so-called " Addendum"
ReplyDeleteThe Court process must be respected.
The Prime Minister must not intervene to make his own announcement that would be tantamount to overriding the Court.
The press can comment whatever, that is a totally matter from the Prime Minister of Malaysia making an official statement.