Umno dakwa PH pertikai kuasa pengampunan Agong

The United Malays National Organisation (Umno) has accused the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition of challenging the constitutional power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to grant pardons for individuals found guilty of corruption. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Umno's Deputy Chief, stated that Umno is not eager to precede the considerations of the Perdana Mukti Majlis (PMM) or pressure a specific outcome.

The PMM, in a statement issued late yesterday, emphasized that those implicated for corruption or misuse of power, particularly high-profile individuals, must serve the entirety of their sentences. The PH statement did not name any cases or individuals but was issued in response to a report suggesting that the Perdana Mukti Majlis of the National Unity Council is scheduled to hear, among other matters, former Prime Minister Najib Razak's application for pardon related to the 1MDB scandal.

Minister of Unity Hannah Yeoh, who is a member of the National Unity Council's PMM, reportedly expressed support for the PH statement during a meeting with the PH president on Tuesday night. Najib, 72, was convicted six years ago for misusing RM42 million of SRC International funds, fined RM210 million and sentenced to 12 years in prison, which he has been serving since August 23, 2022.

The National Unity Council subsequently reduced half of his prison time to six years and fined him RM50 million. However, Asyraf emphasized that Umno does not wish to precede the PMM's considerations or demand any specific decision. "Unlike PH, Umno does not wish to precede the PMM's considerations or demand any particular outcome. Whatever decision is made through a lawful process must be respected by all parties," he said.