Umno ditches plans to
attend pro-Najib rally
Party secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki says Umno has full confidence in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to grant justice to former prime minister Najib Razak.
Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said tonight the party has full confidence in the grace and wisdom of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to grant justice to Najib, who is a former Umno president.
Asyraf said the party acknowledged Istana Negara’s statement earlier today which reiterated the king’s constitutional power to grant pardons for offences committed within the federal territories.
He said Umno would abide by the king’s call to respect the royal prerogative on pardons and to abide by established procedures.
In August 2023, the Umno Supreme Council asked the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to consider granting Najib a royal pardon and would seek an audience to present a memorandum by the 191 Umno divisions, party wings and the Supreme Council asking for Najib to be pardoned.
In tonight’s statement, Asyraf said: “Umno will never disregard the Federal Constitution and will continue to respect the law. In the spirit of upholding the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s command and in accordance with the directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Umno has decided not to proceed with the rally on Jan 6.”
The IGP, Razarudin Husain, said the palace statement clearly directed all prisoners wishing to seek a pardon to submit their applications to the pardons board, and not through any rallies or channels that do not comply with the law.
In view of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s wishes and to safeguard public safety and order, the police urged the public not to participate in rallies organised by any parties.
However, PAS contended that the rally is lawful. Party information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said: “We believe that the right to assemble is guaranteed in the constitution, and we will not violate the laws enshrined in it. We believe that the people have the right to assemble for any reason.”
Politicians from various parties had agreed to attend the rally in support of Najib, who has a court appearance that day over a legal challenge to be allowed to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest.
No comments:
Post a Comment