KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya should explain its role in the pardon process and handling of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest arrangement, two senior Barisan Nasional leaders said.
They also questioned ex-DAP MP Tony Pua’s call for Malaysians to direct their enquiries to Istana Negara.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said those seeking answers should instead turn to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong stating that the government should have taken its concerns over the constitutional arrangements to Parliament and sought amendments if necessary.
Onn Hafiz said Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 10, 2024, that he had brought Najib’s pardon application before the Pardons Board.
“Their own top leader was the one who brought it before the Pardons Board,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Onn Hafiz said the power to grant pardons was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s prerogative under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, with the process involving representatives of the Federal Government and Attorney General.
He said the King had stated that the conditional pardon order was clear and should be respected.
“Why does Pua still want the people to direct their questions to the Palace? If there are questions about its implementation, ask the parties responsible,” he said, referring to Pua’s Facebook post on the issue.
Onn Hafiz also accused Pua and his DAP associates of repeatedly stirring controversy involving the royal institution, saying the Palace should not be drawn into political disputes.
Dr Wee questioned why DAP was directing Malaysians to the Palace when the matter could have been raised through Parliament.
“Why tell the people to go and ask the King? Is that a responsible thing to do?” he said at a Perikatan Nasional ceramah in Kesang Tua, Melaka, on Wednesday night.
Dr Wee, who is the Ayer Hitam MP, said it was contradictory for political leaders to say they respected the King’s prerogative while disagreeing with the decision.
He also asked why the government had not tried to amend the Federal Constitution.
“You (Anwar) have been Prime Minister for almost four years and have the support of 154 MPs.
“If you think the Constitution cannot be applied this way, why didn’t you try to amend it?” he asked.
Dr Wee said he had accepted Anwar’s royal pardon in 2018 as it was provided for under the Federal Constitution, and that the same principle applied to Najib.
On Wednesday, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu offered to donate his entire ministerial salary to support a campaign for a legal mechanism allowing house arrest to apply to all prisoners.
The Malaysian Bar is seeking leave from the High Court to challenge the Pardons Board’s decision in relation to Najib’s house arrest.
