BN tells govt to heed palace statement, expedite Najib’s house arrest

Barisan Nasional has called on the government to heed the statement from Istana Negara and swiftly carry out the conditional pardon that allows Najib Razak to serve the rest of his prison term under house arrest. BN secretary-general Zambry Abd Kadir emphasized that the palace's assertion about the pardon's clarity and fulfillment of conditions should not be dismissed lightly.

He cautioned that the issue transcends an administrative matter or a mere legal interpretation, touching on the core principles of respect for the constitutional monarchy, the king's decrees, and the rule of law. Zambry stressed that the palace's claim, "any argument disputing the order amounts to defying the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's authority," carries significant weight and serves as a stern reminder to all parties responsible for implementing the monarch's decisions.

Earlier, Umno confirmed the settlement of the RM50 million fine imposed on former prime minister Najib Razak following a donation drive. The Kuala Lumpur High Court subsequently issued a discharge order after the payment was validated. However, the Attorney-General's Chambers has requested a temporary deferral in the implementation of the house arrest to allow for a thorough examination of the legal aspects of the conditional pardon and the potential consequences of the court order.

In response, Istana Negara reaffirmed that the authority to grant pardons lies within the royal prerogative as outlined in Article 42 of the Federal Constitution. The palace also asserted that all stipulations in the conditional pardon order have been met, and there should be no ambiguity in its interpretation or prolonged uncertainty surrounding its implementation.