Show your Islamic credentials by pardoning Anwar, Zaid tells Putrajaya

(The Malaysian Times) – Former Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has called for backing on the royal pardon process for the imprisoned Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Zaid, in a series of tweets sent out earlier today, has repeatedly asked for empathy when evaluating the request to pardon Anwar.

Using the Twitter handle @zaidibrahim, Zaid tweeted: “As an Islamic state with high ratings on maqasid as syariah, compassion is core principle. Pardon Anwar to prove it #fb.”

Zaid advised Anwar’s supporters to stop campaigning against the guilty verdict that was sentenced on Anwar, but rather to go on full force to support the royal pardon process.

“If anyone has got some sense left abandon road shows about the verdict, instead go on massive show of support for the pardon,” Zaid posted on his Twitter page.

He has also called on Malay scholars such as Ulamas in PAS and Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and its followers to show their full support by showing compassion and mercy towards the royal pardoning of Anwar as taught in the Islamic teachings.

Regarding that, Zaid tweeted: “I dare the Ulamaks in PAS to support the pardon. Show us your qualities of mercy and compassion” while also saying this: “I am interested to see if Jakim and the scholars will support the pardon; or as I suspect are they waiting for signals” in another tweet.

Besides Malay scholar, Zaid has also encouraged the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to show his support on the application to pardon Anwar as well as a sign of good faith restored in the eyes of the local publics and also from those abroad watching this case closely.

“In fact Prime Minister should support the application. It will get him good marks at home and abroad,” tweeted Zaid.

Zaid cited two previous cases in his tweets that involved two Malaysian politicians that were both given royal pardons before in respective cases.

“Anwar seeking royal pardon is good move and he should get it. If (former Culture, Youth and Sports minister Datuk) Mokhtar Hashim (murder) and (former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri) Harun Idris (corruption) can be pardoned, then Anwar case is a walk in the park,” said Zaid in back to back tweets.

Mokhtar was sentenced to death for shooting his political rival, Datuk Mohd Taha Talib in 1982 which was later reduced to life imprisonment while Harun who was charged with corruption and sentenced to six years of prison in 1976, was released after just three years in jail.

Anwar’s family members filed the royal pardon application at the Istana Negara earlier yesterday.

Anwar’s second daughter, Nurul Nuha released a statement saying she is confident that justice will prevail and her father will be eventually released.