PETALING JAYA: Despite the solidarity rally for jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak not being approved by the police and Umno deciding not to proceed with it, opposition party PAS and Malay-Muslim NGOs say they will not back down from attending the event.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said in a statement yesterday that its members will go ahead and gather in front of the courts in Putrajaya tomorrow to express their solidarity with Najib.
The event is connected to an alleged royal addendum order that will allow Najib to serve the rest of his prison term under house arrest.
Takiyuddin also said the party respects the Istana Negara statement issued on Jan 3 stating the prerogative powers of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, to pardon prisoners under the Federal Constitution.
“The solidarity gathering does not contradict or undermine the royal decree or any provisions of the Constitution, nor does it interfere with the operations of the Pardons Board,” he said.
The gathering, he added, is “in support of Najib’s efforts to seek his rights, justice and protection under the law, with the belief that the same prerogative powers that the King holds have provided some relief to the sentence he is serving, through a document known as the ‘Addendum Decree’”.
PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man called it an act of “cowardice” of those who retracted the call to join the solidarity rally by using the Istana Negara statement.
“Najib’s sons Datuk Muhammad Nizar and Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin stated in an affidavit that the Adendum Decree from the 16th Yang Di-Pertuan Agong indeed exists. Therefore, this is the justice that PAS is fighting for – to grant rights to those who deserve them.
“It is unfortunate, however, that Umno announced it would not continue with the rally after DAP expressed its dissatisfaction with Umno.
“This action confirms the current perception among the people that Umno is just a loyal follower, nodding to whatever DAP says,” said Tuan Ibrahim when contacted in Mecca yesterday.
DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng has criticised Umno for its “collaboration” with PAS for the planned rally, saying that it would undermine Umno’s partnership in the unity government, of which both parties are part of.
In response, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Lim’s era has passed and urged him to place his trust in the current DAP leadership rather than stir conflicts with allies.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the public has the right to know if there is indeed an addendum.
“The government or any relevant parties have an obligation to implement the decrees of the King in an orderly manner according to the nation’s legal framework, including any additional decrees (“addendums”) regarding royal pardons issued by His Majesty.
“Questions have arisen over why it has not been implemented despite it having been issued by His Majesty over a year ago.
“Any action of defiance, concealment or denial of any decree issued by the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong constitutes a serious betrayal of the King and the nation,” said Hamzah.
In a media conference yesterday, Ummah president Mohd Zai Mustafa said the 300 Malay NGOs under its umbrella will join the rally.
“A royal decree is not something to be trifled with. We will support any decision by the courts on Monday as we support the legal process.
“Whatever punishment meted out to Najib, which is decided by the courts on Monday, we will concede to it.
“An addendum decree, if issued by the King, cannot be merely ‘considered’ by the Prime Minister but must be carried out,” said Mohd Zai.
Perkasa president Syed Hasan Syed Ali said his NGO will express solidarity with Najib as many of its members are also Umno members.
