MADANI backers have schooled UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki who regretted the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Secretariat Council’s hypocrisy of apparently questioning the Agong’s pardoning power purportedly over clemency prospects of incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The MARA chairman drew distinction that if PH can support the pardon granted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who back then had yet to complete his sod*my-related full jail sentence, then it is unjustified for different criteria to be imposed on others.
“This power of pardon is His Majesty’s prerogative which is clearly enshrined in Article 42(1) of the Federal Constitution and should not be challenged by any party,” he penned in a media statement.
“Unlike PH, UMNO has no intention of prioritising the consideration of the Pardons Board or demanding any specific decision. Any decision made through the proper process must be respected by all parties.”
Asyraf was responding to an earlier PH statement which emphasised that individuals convicted of high-profile corruption and abuse of power must serve their full court sentences.
This came amid reports that the Federal Territories Pardons Board (FTPB) is set to meet tomorrow (Sept 11) to consider Bossku’s pardon application.
While not naming the former 10-term Pekan MP directly, PH emphasised that decisions on high-profile cases must protect public confidence in the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts.
Editor’s Note: Bossku has been imprisoned since Aug 23, 2022 after the Federal Court dismissed his final appeal in the RM42 mil SRC International Sdn Bhd case. He was sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 mil.
His jail term was slashed from by half to six years while his fine was lowered substantially to RM50 mil by the FT Pardons Board chaired by then 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahad Shah just prior to the end of the King’s five-year reign on Feb 2, 2024.
Plundering nation’s wealth
Interestingly, a glance at the comment section of various social media platforms showed that many netizens took the trouble to re-fresh the UMNO sec-gen’s memory that comparing Bossku’s case with that of PMX’s past is akin to comparing apples and oranges.
“UMNO leaders can’t even differentiate between PMX being maliciously slandered and Najib plundering the nation’s wealth!” berated a female commenter. “Najib’s case involves international scandals … No way to just forgive … The rakyat are not stupid like UMNO!”
Another commenter echoed a similar sentiment with concern of Bossku’s eventual pardon setting an unhealthy, no turning back precedent.
Najib’s cases involve billions of ringgit of public funds … If Najib is granted immunity in the form of house arrest, then in the future, any VVIP involved in misconduct will contest their conviction and demand house arrest as well.
Don’t be biased! All Malaysians must abide by the law and be treated equally regardless of whether one holds the title of Tan Sri, Datuk Seri or any other title in Malaysia!
One pro-PH voice reckoned that the ruling coalition supported PMX’s pardon “because we’re 100% sure that the charges against him are 100% false”.
“(But) we DON’T support Najib’s pardon because we are 100% sure that Najib spent some of the money he didn’t know the exact origin of which was put into his own account. He knowingly spent the money which was not his.”
Delving further, one former Mathematics lecturer is adamant that Bossku should remain in prison. “He has already received a discount coupon – that should be enough. 
,” he quipped.
Another contended that prior to receiving a full pardon, PMX had served almost the entire duration of his sentence “despite not (justly) tried in accordance with the rule of law”.
“Above all else, his case didn’t involve the public having to bear the burden of repaying colossal national debt,” he stressed.
Another fuming netizen challenged UMNO “to sign an official agreement that all 1MDB debts and fines are fully borne by UMNO and every UMNO member” if the party is so keen to see Bossku walk free.
“There will be lesser burden for the rakyat to settle the money your boss embezzled,” justified the commenter.
Last but not least, one commenter drew the distinction between full pardon and house arrest.
“Moreover, DSNR is still facing court proceedings and civil lawsuits. If there is a full pardon, it may affect the on-going proceedings, including the civil lawsuit by 1MDB against DSNR,” asserted an emcee/wedding planner.
“Anyhow, the final decision lies on discretion of the pardon board chaired by the YDPA (Agong).”
Focus Malaysia
Editor’s Note: There were also claims by a handful of commenters that this Bossku pardon issue is merely a smokescreen or diversion away from UMNO’s blunder in the Negeri Sembilan royalty saga, namely attempts to depose the state’s reigning monarch Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
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