The Malaysian Insight

AMANAH communications director Khalid Samad’s call for Najib Razak’s bid for a royal pardon to be rejected does not represent the party’s stance, said Mohamad Sabu.

In a statement, the Amanah president said everyone has a right to offer his or her opinion as provided in the Federal Constitution but Khalid’s view was not the party’s stand.

He noted that in an organisational context, the views of individuals do not represent the organisation or party unless an official decision was reached in a meeting.

The Kota Raja lawmaker said Amanah members had the right to air their opinions, but these were still subject to the party’s decisions.

Mohamad  added that Amanah, PKR and DAP are part of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and are subject to PH’s decision, which should be prioritised if the views voiced contradict the coalition’s decision.

“The same goes for the unity government. The decision at the multi-coalition level must override any decision by individual parties or political pacts,” he said in the statement.

“In the case of Najib Razak (pardon), the authority that has the power to make a decision is the King. All parties must respect any decision made by the King,” he said in the statement posted on his Facebook page today.

Earlier this week, Khalid had appealed to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to reject Najib’s pardon application.

He said this was because it did not want the people to lose confidence in the government and institutions of the Malay rulers.

The pardon, if granted, would send a wrong message to the world about Malaysia’s attitude towards corruption, when several countries are also prosecuting the perpetrators of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, Amanah communications director Khalid Samad said.

Amanah’s stand has caused major concerns within Umno with some state leaders calling for Umno to cut ties with PH.

Earlier today Umno Supreme Council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi had labelled Amanah as a party that could not be considered as a true friend, although they are together in the unity government.

He said Amanah was only a political ally and not a trustworthy partner after the party had said it would not support any pardon move for former prime minister Najib Razak.

Amanah is a component of Pakatan Harapan (PH), which is leading the unity government with the support of Umno and Barisan Nasional as well as other parties.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also deputy prime minister, also told Amanah not to interfere with the pardon process and allow the king to decide on it.

The Pardons Board, which convened on Friday, however, reportedly did not hear Najib’s application, among the 28 that were heard. – April 30, 2023.