Asia Times interview: Tok Mat says full context is on right to fair trial for all

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has insisted that his statements made in a recent interview with Hong Kong-based Asia Times must be read in totality and in its full context of the right of all individuals to a fair trial, otherwise, readers will get an "inaccurate picture".

"It is very important for me to stress that the whole context of the interview is my emphasis on how every individual charged has a right to a fair trial.

"Also, a pardon under Malaysian law will only be granted after a person has started to undergo their sentence," he said in a statement today.

Mohamad (above) pointed out that anything else outside of that context only serves to paint a negative picture of former premier Najib Abdul Razak and himself, for Umno’s political enemies to use as fodder for propaganda.

"I have no further intentions to comment on this matter and my entire focus will be to prepare the party to face the 15th general election (GE15)," he added.

Mohamad, who is popularly known as Tok Mat, had said in an Asia Times interview last week that Najib should "go inside (jail) first" while he exhausts the appeal process over his conviction on corruption charges related to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

"The court is the place where you can prove whether you’re innocent or not. He didn’t prove it. He couldn’t prove it.

"Everybody has to pay their dues. But if we want to pardon (him), he (Najib) has to go through the process. He’ll have to go inside first,” Mohamad was quoted as saying in the interview.

However, Mohamad later clarified that he meant Najib must face the consequences if the Federal Court upholds his conviction in the SRC case.

Najib Abdul Razak

Following the publication of the Asia Times interview, which was also picked by other local media, Mohamad claimed his remarks were taken out of context.

Based on excerpts from the interview, Asia Times had specifically asked Mohamad whether he would be sorry if Najib was to go to jail.

Mohamad had responded that while he would feel sorry for Najib, as a friend, but anybody in the same position would have to pay their dues before being considered for a pardon.

The report co-authored by Nick Kochan and Nile Bowie was published under the headline “Umno’s No 2 thinks Najib should go to jail”.

Asia Times, however, defended the accuracy of its report and released audio recordings from the entire interview for the public to judge. - Mkini