PUTRAJAYA: All is well between Umno and Amanah following the royal pardon issue involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who is also Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister and Amanah deputy president, also said that he had apologised to Umno if the statement by Amanah’s Datuk Seri Khalid Samad had offended party members, adding that that this was not Amanah’s stand.
They were referring to the statement by Khalid that Amanah wants the King to reject the plea for the royal pardon by Najib, which was supported by the Umno supreme council.
The duo said this to the media at the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house on Sunday (April 30) at the Deputy Prime Minister's official residence in Putrajaya.
"I understand that the statement by the Amanah individual (Khalid) was a personal statement and not the party's stand.
"He must understand how to work with all the other parties and not make his own statements. He should come and see me personally to understand Umno’s stand on the issue which he has raised (Najib's royal pardon).
"There are many parties in harmony in the unity government - do not find the dissenting points - but find how we can come together.
"The narrative should be a positive one for the unity government.
"I have met the Kelantan Umno and their reaction to Khalid's statement is because they felt that a response must be made over his statement.
"We have solved the issue and we hope to harmonise the situation.
"On April 28, the Pardons Board did not include the royal pardon of Najib as they felt the time needed to be right.
"I ask the Umno members to stay calm and we have made the official stand to support the royal pardon for Najib," said Ahmad Zahid, who is Umno president.
Salahuddin said that it was not the party's stand to say no to the royal pardon for Najib.
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"Everyone has a right to appeal for a royal pardon. It is the basic right and we leave what needs to be done to the Federal Constitution.
"What has been said is a personal statement and not the party’s stand.
"We are now focused on the people's concerns. Whatever has been said and crossed the line (by Khalid), it tends to happen.
"There is no shame in apologising when one has crossed the line," said Salahuddin.
Cabinet Ministers and foreign dignitaries throng the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Ahmad’s Zahid’s official residence here on Sunday.
Spotted mingling with Ahmad Zahid were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Islamic Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
