Najib's conditional pardon: Johor MB tells DAP, Amanah to seek Anwar's explanation

KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said DAP and Amanah leaders, as well as the Bar Council, should seek clarification from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over Datuk Seri Najib Razak's conditional pardon and house arrest, instead of involving the palace.

Onn Hafiz said Anwar had brought forward and included the pardon application for Najib in the agenda of the Pardons Board meeting during a Dewan Rakyat sitting on Dec 10, 2024.

"This is their true nature, and this is not the first time former Damansara member of parliament Tony Pua and his DAP allies have incited controversy involving the royal institution.

"He (Tony Pua) was previously investigated by police following his remarks concerning the Sultan of Selangor's decree.

"Now, once again, the palace is being dragged into a political dispute. Disrespect and disloyalty towards the rulers must not be normalised," he said in a social media post.

He said every prisoner had the right to seek a pardon, while the power to grant pardons was the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as provided for under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution.

"The decision is made by the Pardons Board, which includes representatives of the federal government and the Attorney-General," he said.

He said His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, had decreed that the conditional pardon was clear and must be respected.

"His Majesty also stressed that any arguments disputing the order were tantamount to defying the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"So why does Tony Pua still want the people to direct their questions to the palace? If there are questions about its implementation, ask the parties responsible. Do not make the palace a target of political disputes.

"Do not become so engrossed in politics that you forget the second principle of the Rukun Negara, Loyalty to the King and Country," he said.

Earlier, media reports said Tony Pua had allegedly mocked the King over the conditional pardon granted to Najib.

Meanwhile, Agriculture and Food Security Minister and Kota Raja member of parliament Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu proposed that the government give all prisoners the opportunity to serve half their sentences in prison and the remainder under house arrest.

Separately, the Bar Council has filed a legal application challenging the implementation of house arrest for Najib, arguing that it is unconstitutional and has no basis under Malaysian law.