Braving the storm: Ahmad Zahid arriving for the two-hour special briefing by the party leadership at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The Umno grassroots have accepted the Pardons Board’s decision on their ex-president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, saying that they have always been a body that respects the royal institution.
The party’s secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said this was the consensus of the party’s grassroots after a two-hour special briefing by the party leadership at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
“As a body that has always respected the royal institution, we respect the decision that had been made because the Federal Constitution states that this is the absolute power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and that (right) cannot be questioned by any party,” Asyraf told reporters after the meeting.
The event was attended by the party’s top leadership, including division leaders, and the executive committees of Wanita Umno, Umno Youth and Puteri Umno.
Asyraf added that the party expressed its gratitude to former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who chaired the Pardons Board, which heard Najib’s application.
The board decided to reduce Najib’s jail term from 12 to six years and to reduce his fine from RM210mil to RM50mil.
Asyraf also said the party would continue to “seek justice” for Najib, who was convicted of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering in relation to the RM42mil that was syphoned from SRC International, a former 1Malaysia Development Bhd subsidiary.
He also brushed off comments from Tony Pua, who had criticised the board’s decision, saying that the Damansara MP did not speak for the unity government.
Party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who was also at the meeting, waved to waiting reporters as he entered and left the hall but did not stop to address the media.
