{
  "id": 19603580,
  "title": "Johor MB invokes Rukun Negara, warns politicians against dragging palace into Najib row",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/johor-mb-invokes-rukun-negara-warns-politicians-against-dragging",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T05:13:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/11/12/johor-mb-invokes-rukun-negara-warns-politicians-against-dragging-palace-into-najib-row/242939"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Johor's Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, has warned politicians against involving the royal institution in the ongoing controversy surrounding former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's house arrest. He emphasized that the royal family should not be dragged into partisan disputes and stressed the importance of loyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King). The Johor chief cautioned against disrespecting the monarch, especially when questioning his constitutional role within the Pardons Board.\n\nArticle 42 of the Federal Constitution states that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has the prerogative to grant pardons, and this power is exercised through the Pardons Board, which includes representatives from the federal government and the Attorney General. The King himself has stated that the conditional pardon order is clear and must be respected.\n\nOnn Hafiz pointed out that the Johor royal institution has already made it clear that challenging the decree is an act of defiance against the royal authority. He urged the parties involved, including DAP lawmaker Tony Pua, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, and the Malaysian Bar Council, to direct their concerns to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim rather than the monarchy. Onn Hafiz reminded them that the second principle of the Rukun Negara is loyalty to the King and country. He also noted that Anwar has confirmed that he will personally submit the pardon application to the Pardons Board agenda.",
  "summary": "JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 12 — The royal institution must not be dragged into partisan squabbles surrounding former prime m...",
  "key_points": [
    "Johor's Menteri Besar warns politicians against involving royal institution in Najib controversy.",
    "Article 42 of the Federal Constitution grants Yang di-Pertuan Agong prerogative to grant pardons.",
    "Loyalty to the King and country emphasized as second principle of Rukun Negara."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Invoking national principles to shield the monarchy from political scrutiny reinforces the royal institution's role as a neutral constitutional authority that must remain insulated from partisan disputes over executive decisions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}