{
  "id": 19498849,
  "title": "Melaka polls: Najib's house arrest should not be election campaign material",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/melaka-polls-najibs-house-arrest-should-not-be-election-campaign",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-11T13:13:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/11/1575684/melaka-polls-najibs-house-arrest-should-not-be-election-campaign"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MELAKA: Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has cautioned political parties against utilizing Datuk Seri Najib Razak's house arrest as a campaign issue in the upcoming Melaka elections. He emphasized that political leaders, especially those in ministerial roles, should refrain from engaging the public in debates about the matter. The pardon of Najib Razak is an absolute authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Sultans, which cannot be challenged. The matter is protected by the Federal Constitution, and questioning it would imply questioning the nation's Constitution. As ministers, they must uphold the Constitution as the bedrock of their country, and they should not undermine it. Mohamad, popularly known as Tok Mat, responded to DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke's suggestion that dissatisfied Melaka voters could utilize the voting process to express their opinions. He firmly stated that the issue should not be leveraged as campaign material, stressing the importance of understanding the boundaries of what can be discussed. He reiterated that granting a pardon is a sovereign prerogative, and everyone is entitled to voice their opinions, but questioning the absolute prerogative of the Malay Rulers is not permissible. He expressed his hope that Najib Razak's house arrest would not become a campaign tool, as he remains imprisoned, and the house has been declared a prison.",
  "summary": "MELAKA: Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has reminded all parties against using the issue of Datuk Seri Najib Razak's house arrest as campaign material in the Melaka election.",
  "key_points": [
    "Pardon of Najib Razak is absolute authority of Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Malay Sultans",
    "Ministers must uphold Constitution, not undermine it in political debates"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malaysiakini",
        "title": "Can Najib's family live with him during house arrest period?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/can-najibs-family-live-with-him-during-house-arrest-period",
        "published": "2026-11-11T07:58:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}