PETALING JAYA: The government should explain the legal framework, procedures and criteria for implementing house arrest following the conditional pardon granted to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (pic).
The Bersatu secretary-general said this should include whether the same consideration could be fairly extended to other prisoners who meet the stipulated criteria.
"Such an explanation is important to prevent the perception that there is one form of treatment for the elite and influential, and another for ordinary citizens," he said in a statement on Saturday (Sept 19).
Azmin also called for all conditions imposed on Najib, including those relating to his serving the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, to be disclosed in detail to the public.
He said transparency was important to prevent public unease and anger that could undermine the judiciary's integrity and public confidence in the country's legal system.
Azmin said Bersatu respected Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, which provides the Yang di-Pertuan Agong with the power to grant pardons, reprieves and respites.
"The Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s power of pardon under Article 42 applies to all prisoners who are entitled to seek a pardon through the legal process.
"At the same time, Bersatu understands the concerns that have arisen among the public regarding the principle of equality before the law.
"The people have the right to be assured that a person’s position, influence or background does not result in different standards in the implementation of sentences from those applied to ordinary citizens," he said.
On Friday (Sept 18), Najib was granted a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to the payment of a RM50mil fine.
The decision was made during the 64th meeting of the Federal Territories Pardons Board on Friday (Sept 18), which was chaired by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
In an official statement released on Friday, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department confirmed that the conditional pardon remains strictly subject to Najib fulfilling all specified conditions—including payment of the RM50mil fine.
