PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong says there are four key issues to address to clarify his stand on the alleged addendum to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s pardon.
The MCA president was responding to DAP’s Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng statement asking MCA to state its stand on whether Najib should serve the rest of his jail sentence under house arrest.
“Firstly, does a royal decree involving the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s powers need to be followed? The answer to that is yes.
"Secondly, should such a royal decree be hidden or delayed? The answer is no, because delaying a decree that falls within the King’s authority is a direct affront to the Federal Constitution.
“Thirdly, the public absolutely has the right to know if a Royal decree exists, and the government must be transparent, with a straightforward ‘yes’ or ‘no’ instead of evading the question for almost a year.
“Lastly, if the government can hide a royal decree for nearly a year, I wonder what more it is capable of hiding,” the Ayer Hitam MP said in a Facebook post Sunday (Dec 15).
Dr Wee said Lim, and the DAP, should answer the four issues he had raised.
“Whether you or I agree with the King’s decree is irrelevant, as the Federal Constitution grants the King the 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 King’s constitutional pardon powers, and it must be respected,” he added.
Dr Wee said if Lim believes that the former King made the wrong decision, then he should address the matter with the Sultan of Pahang.
He said the courts of law had delivered its verdict and sentence, but the power to grant clemency lies entirely with the King.
“Lim must recognise these two separate domains of authority, and if DAP believes that the King should not have the final say on pardons, they should propose a motion in Parliament to amend the constitution.
“Also if a royal addendum is issued, and Najib is granted house arrest, DAP must clarify whether it will quit the government in protest, or it will use this as an excuse to criticise while staying in power,” he questioned.
