Najib Abdul Razak’s supporters in Umno are not happy with the High Court denying the former premier’s house arrest bid, and they’re aiming their frustrations at the Madani coalition.
In separate social media posts, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has called for Umno’s exit from the government, fanned racial sentiments, and appeared to imply political machinations behind today’s court ruling.
On the court ruling today, Akmal zoomed in on how royal decrees were treated.
“The (former) Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree was said to be invalid by the court after being hidden for so long.
“When they wanted to form the government, the Agong’s decree (for there to be a unity government) was used as the main reason.
“But today, the decree (granting Najib house arrest) was said not to be valid. The people can evaluate,” Akmal (above) said in a Facebook post.
Judge Alice Loke found that the house arrest addendum issued by Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah without discussing it with the Pardons Board was not valid and not in compliance with constitutional procedures.
The decree was reportedly issued unilaterally by Sultan Abdullah in his final hours as Yang di-Pertuan Agong last year, after the Pardons Board had already halved Najib’s prison sentence in the SRC International case from 12 years to six.
In a press conference later, Najib’s lawyer, Shafee Abdullah, said Loke’s judgment reduced the power of the Malay rulers.
Akmal, in response, said: “If we still let this be, what is the use of being Malay Muslim leaders in this homeland?”
In the comments replying to Akmal’s post, netizens were seen prodding the Umno Youth chief and other Umno leaders to put pressure on party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over today’s court ruling, or for Umno to withdraw support from the Madani coalition.
‘Not a licence to be rude’
Akmal then picked up the call in response to Pakatan Harapan MPs celebrating the court ruling.
“What are we waiting for? Withdraw support from this government. Let us be opposition with dignity rather than be insulted by these dense folks,” he said.
Akmal called on delegates to the upcoming Umno general assembly to push this agenda.
The Merlimau assemblyperson was responding to Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin, who responded to the court ruling by saying, “Another reason to celebrate this year-end”.
Separately, Subang MP Wong Chen, in a brief social media response to the court ruling, said “Justice lives!”
Zahid’s daughter Nurulhidayah and his aide Razlan Rafii also bristled at Yeo’s remarks.
Razlan said Yeo was “kurang ajar” (rude) and warned that Malays would fight her “incitement”.
Subang Umno division chief Armand Azha Abu Hanifah also warned Harapan supporters against going overboard in celebrating the court ruling today.
“Don’t treat us like idiots, don’t make it seem like our struggle is for nothing.
“Remember, political cooperation is not a licence to be rude. Not a ticket to trample on the feelings of your allies,” he said in a strongly worded statement.
Sore point
Zahid yesterday expressed hope that Najib would get a full pardon. In January, Umno appealed to Sultan Ibrahim to grant clemency to the former prime minister.
Zahid had said that Umno is keen to continue cooperating with Anwar and Harapan in the next general election, but Najib’s fate is becoming a sore point for his detractors in the party.
The addendum was not public knowledge until Najib filed a judicial review in April last year, seeking confirmation from the government of its existence.
At the outset, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had denied knowledge of the decree.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed in January that the addendum was sent directly to then-attorney-general Terrirudin Salleh, who subsequently sent it to Sultan Abdullah's successor as king, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, for deliberation. - Mkini
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