As Jan 6 Najib rally ‘heats up’, Istana Negara issues reminder for all to respect Federal Constitution, law

(YN) : The heat is on as political leaders from both sides of the divide in Malaysia are kept on the edge of their seats ahead of a “peaceful rally” outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya on Jan 6.

Several Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pas leaders have pledged to mobilise their members, in the thousands, to gather in solidarity with former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is serving prison time over the infamous 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal that grabbed worldwide attention.

Najib is serving a six-year prison sentence, halved by the Pardons Board from the initial 12 years, following his conviction in the SRC International case.

The rally is being held on the day the Court of Appeal will hear Najib’s application for leave to adduce fresh evidence in his appeal to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest — an order that Najib claims was issued by a purported royal command by former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Istana Negara, in a statement this afternoon, reminded all parties to adhere to the Federal Constitution and law, adding that anyone who wishes to seek clemency for a prisoner must submit their application to the Pardons Board.

“If any party wishes for a prisoner to be granted a full pardon or a reduction in their sentence, the application must be made by the convicted person to the Pardons Board chaired by the Agong in the next meeting for consideration,” the statement read.

The rally continues to raise eyebrows, given that the BN chairman and Umno president is Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also serves as the deputy prime minister in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s “unity government”.

Ahmad Zahid had also dismissed recent criticism against the rally. Responding to DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, Ahmad Zahid was quoted as saying: “In my view, his (Lim’s) era has passed, and it would be better to place trust in DAP’s current leadership without stirring conflict with any allies.”

Lim had called into question Umno’s allegiance to the unity government since Pas is a member of the opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional, and supposedly, an arch-nemesis of Umno and Pakatan Harapan.

Source : Yahoonews