Former Umno minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim says opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should be pardoned. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, February 25, 2015.
A former Umno minister is supporting the pardon appeal by jailed opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, calling it a chance for Malaysia to prove its high shariah ratings, of which compassion is a core principle.
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim took to Twitter this morning to urge the prime minister to support Anwar's appeal for a royal pardon, saying that it would win him support at home and abroad.
He also urged the clerics in Islamist party PAS to support the appeal for a pardon in order to showcase its mercy and compassion.
In his tweet, Zaid said: “As an Islamic state with high ratings on maqasid as shariah, compassion is core principle. Pardon Anwar to prove it.
“In fact the prime minister should support the application. It will get him good marks at home and abroad.”
The former de-facto law minister added that he was keen to see if the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) would support the pardon, saying that he suspected they were “waiting for signals”.
He also urged the public to support Anwar's appeal for a pardon, tweeting: “If anyone has got some sense left, abandon road shows about the verdict, instead go on massive show of support for the pardon.”
Calling the appeal a good move, Zaid gave the example of two other politicians convicted for murder and corruption who had received a royal pardon in past years.
“Anwar seeking royal pardon is good move and he should get it. If Mokhtar Hashim and Harun Idris can be pardoned,” he said in a tweet.
Former culture, youth and sports minister Datuk Mokhtar Hashim was pardoned by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 1991 after serving some time in prison for the murder of a political rival.
Former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Harun Idris who was found guilty of corruption also received a royal pardon in 1982.
Anwar's family has made an application for a royal pardon which has been submitted to Istana Negara.
His daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is PKR vice-president, said the petition for pardon was made on the basis that the conviction failed to adhere to the principles of justice.
On February 10, a five-man bench led by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria upheld Anwar’s conviction and five-year jail sentence for having carnal intercourse with his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan in 2008.
- TMI
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