Cops: Attend rally, face the law

 

No-go zone: A view of barricades erected around the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Police will take strict action against those attending today’s planned solidarity rally for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Palace of Justice here, including mounting roadblocks in the administrative capital.

“The public is prohibited from attending the rally in Putrajaya as (organisers) did not obtain permission from the premises owner as stipulated in the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

“The police will take strict action against attendees as it goes against the law,” said Putrajaya OCPD Asst Comm Aidi Sham Mohamed in a statement yesterday.

He added that roadblocks and additional screenings for weapons and seditious banners will be carried out by patrolling policemen.

On Saturday, ACP Aidi Sham said the police had made preliminary preparations by readying 456 policemen and officers for security control.

A solidarity gathering has been planned for today to coincide with the Court of Appeal’s hearing related to an alleged royal addendum order that would apparently allow Najib to serve the remainder of his prison term under house arrest.

On Friday, Istana Negara said in a statement that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had the prerogative to grant pardons, postpone sentences and relieve punishments for any offences committed in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan based on the provisions under Articles 42 (1) and 2 of the Federal Constitution.

“His Majesty may also remit, suspend or commute any sentences that have been handed down by the court for the particular offence.

“Applications for a pardon or reduced sentences must be submitted by the prisoner concerned for the consideration of the Pardons Board, which he chairs, at its next meeting,” it said in a statement.

Istana Negara reminded everyone to respect the Constitution and the law.

Following the statement by Istana Negara, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain advised all to respect the powers of the King.

“To respect the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and maintain public safety and order, the police urge the public not to participate in any rallies organised by any party,” he said in a statement on Friday.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki later announced in a statement that the party had decided not to participate in the planned rally.

He said the decision was made based on the principle of honouring the decree of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on pardons or sentence reductions for convicted prisoners, and following the directive of the IGP.

PAS, however, said it will carry on with the rally.

Najib is seeking a mandamus order where, if the addendum order exists, all or one of the respondents must execute the royal order and immediately move him from Kajang Prison to his residence in Kuala Lumpur to serve his remaining sentence under house arrest.

In 2022, Najib was handed a 12-year jail sentence after being found guilty of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering in relation to RM42mil that had been siphoned from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd. He was also fined RM210mil.

However, in February 2024, the Pardons Board commuted Najib’s jail term from 12 years to six and reduced the fine to RM50mil. - Star