PETALING JAYA: MIC will now hold a prayer vigil in Batu Caves to show solidarity for former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak, says Datuk Seri M Saravanan.
The MIC deputy president said that although he does not think it is wrong to gather at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya as initially planned, party leaders have decided to instead hold a prayer vigil for Najib "to obtain justice on the addendum".
"MIC will proceed with the solidarity gathering on Jan 6 since thousands of MIC members have committed to volunteering for the event. However, instead of gathering at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya, MIC will hold special prayers for Najib at the Batu Caves Murugan Temple at 11am on Monday.
"MIC also welcomes the Indian community at large to join us for these prayers," he said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 4).
Saravanan also said His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia's recent statement that the pardon process must go through proper channels is a timely reminder of the sanctity of our constitutional framework.
He said the gathering at Batu Caves would be a demonstration of support and unity that does not contravene His Majesty's decree.
"Solidarity gatherings are a democratic right and must be viewed as separate from the formal processes His Majesty has rightfully emphasised," he said.
He added that any addendum issued by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah should also be respected.
His statement came after Umno said on Jan 3 that the party would not join the gathering.
The gathering is being held on the day the Court of Appeal will hear an appeal from Najib related to an alleged royal addendum order to allow the former premier to serve the rest of his prison term under house arrest.
