Umno dakwa PH pertikai kuasa pengampunan Agong

Pakatan Harapan (PH) has accused the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) of attempting to influence the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to grant pardons, according to Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Seri Menteri Umno. Dusuki stated that Umno does not wish to precede or pressure the institution in making specific decisions. Regarding a statement from PH's Executive Council, Dusuki emphasized that the power to pardon is a prerogative of the Agong under Article 42(1) of the Constitution, and it is not appropriate to contest this among different parties.

In a statement released late last night, PH's Executive Council stressed that individuals found guilty of wrongdoing, especially high-profile figures, must serve their full term of imprisonment. PH's statement did not name any cases or individuals but was released in response to a report from the Federal Territories Committee anticipating a hearing at the Federal Territories Court on Friday to consider, among other things, former Prime Minister Najib Razak's request for pardon concerning 1MDB scandal allegations.

Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh, who serves on the Federal Territories Court, reportedly apologized to the PH presidential council on Tuesday. Najib, 72, was convicted of misusing RM42 million from SRC International in 2019, fined RM210 million, and sentenced to 12 years in prison, of which he has served six years since August 23, 2022.

The Federal Territories Court subsequently reduced his prison term by half to six years and decreased his fine to RM50 million. However, Dusuki stressed that Umno does not wish to precede the consideration of the Court or demand any specific decisions. "Unlike PH, Umno does not wish to precede the consideration of the Court or demand any particular decisions. Whatever decision is made through a proper process must be respected by all parties," he said.