MELAKA: The government must explain why Datuk Seri Najib Razak's house arrest has stalled even though the RM50mil fine has been paid, says Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
The PAS secretary-general said the Home Ministry should clarify the delay, adding that paying a court-imposed fine removed the possibility of additional imprisonment for defaulting on that payment.
"Once the fine has been paid, the question of imprisonment in default of payment no longer arises.
"The house arrest arrangement should therefore be implemented without further delay.
"If it has not been carried out, we demand an explanation from the government, particularly the Home Ministry," he told reporters after the launch of the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional joint manifesto on Friday (Nov 6).
Takiyuddin, a former magistrate, explained that failure to pay a court-imposed fine could result in an additional prison term but such a penalty no longer applies once payment is made.
He said every Malaysian is entitled to seek a royal pardon under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, regardless of their background or position.
"Every citizen has rights under the Constitution, including to seek a royal pardon.
"Those rights must be respected. They are not reserved for selected individuals," he said.
He said there should not be double standards in the application of the law, adding that constitutional rights must be respected.
Asked about Transport Minister Anthony Loke's pledge to resign if Najib was allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, Takiyuddin said any such commitment should be honoured once conditions are fulfilled.
"If someone has promised to resign if another person is allowed to serve their sentence under house arrest, that promise must be kept.
"We will raise the matter, whether in Parliament or publicly," he said.
