Umno's bid to seek a pardon for its former leader Najib Abdul Razak continues to test ties within the coalition government with Muda being the latest party to argue against it.
In an apparent criticism of its federal government ally Amanah, Muda stressed that it will not apologise for objecting to Najib’s pardon bid.
Muda's central executive committee described the former premier as a "kleptocrat" who made the country suffer and freeing him this early in his sentence will send the wrong message to Malaysians.
"Pardoning Najib just as he begins his sentence will send the message that anyone with influence over the powerful is above the law.
"This violates the principles of the Rukun Negara (which emphasis) the supremacy of laws," it said in a joint statement.
Najib is serving a 12-year jail sentence for criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power over RM42 million in SRC International Sdn Bhd funds which ended up in his personal bank accounts.
Now that Umno is a key partner of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration, the party's supreme council had filed a petition seeking Najib's pardon.
Dig at Amanah
This has put pressure on Anwar who, by virtue of being the federal minister in charge of the federal territories, will sit on the Pardons Board that will advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Typically, pardons are issued in conjunction with the rulers' birthday. Malaysia will mark the Agong's birthday on June 5.
Muda said it will go against anyone who will "try to save kleptocrats" and those who attempt to challenge the integrity of the judiciary.
"We wish to stress that this is our party's official position and not the opinion or personal opinions of individuals in the party.
"We will not apologise for this position," the youth-based party added.
Muda has only one MP and one assemblyperson, both representing Johor.
Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub yesterday apologised on behalf of his party to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for Amanah communications director Khalid Samad's call for the Agong to reject Najib's pardon bid.
Salahuddin communicated the apology to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the latter's open house yesterday where the duo appeared before the press shaking hands. - Mkini
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