PETALING JAYA: PAS will not retract its call for members to gather in front of the courts on Monday (Jan 6) to show solidarity with former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
In a statement issued on Saturday (Jan 4), PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (pic) said the gathering aims to "defend" the prerogative powers of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia as stated in the royal decree.
Takiyuddin said this is to support Najib's rights, especially regarding the perceived "addendum decree" on his sentence.
"The purpose of this solidarity gathering is to defend the prerogative powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong against manipulation and lack of transparency, as well as to support all lawful efforts of Najib in seeking justice under the law based on the same powers and prerogatives."
"PAS has no intention of revisiting the call for the peaceful presence of its members at the stated time, place, and date (Jan 6)."
"PAS acknowledges and upholds the royal decree issued by the Istana Negara regarding the prerogative powers of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as stipulated in Article 42 (1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution."
"These powers allow the King to grant pardons, suspend sentences, and remit sentences for any offences committed within the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya."
"PAS also affirms its commitment to supporting the procedures and processes established under the law concerning this matter through the Pardons Board, chaired by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong."
Takiyuddin said that PAS notes that the gathering at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya does not contradict or undermine the meaning and intent of the royal decree or any provisions of the Federal Constitution.
He added that it also does not interfere with the operations of the Pardons Board.
"As reflected in the theme of the gathering itself, it will be a peaceful assembly of people from all walks of life, across races and beliefs, at a public venue—the open court—to express solidarity with the former prime minister at a pivotal moment in his legal proceedings," said Takiyuddin.
He further said that the gathering is "in support of Najib's efforts to seek his rights, justice, and protection under the law, in the belief that the same prerogative power that the King holds has provided some relief to the sentence he is serving, through a document known as the ‘Addendum Decree’."
"Unfortunately, there are reasonable doubts that this ‘Addendum Decree’, which emanates from the prerogative powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, has been betrayed and hidden by certain powerful parties, denying the rights and relief granted, thus forcing Najib to seek judicial review from the court to confirm its existence and take further action in accordance with it," said Takiyuddin.
On Friday (Jan 3) night, Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said that Umno will not proceed with a solidarity gathering planned on Monday outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya.
He said the decision was made based on the principle of honouring the decree of Sultan Ibrahim on pardons or sentence reductions for convicted prisoners, and following the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.
A solidarity gathering has been planned for 9am on Monday (Jan 6) outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya, in conjunction with the Court of Appeal’s hearing related to an alleged royal addendum order that will allow former premier Najib to serve the rest of his prison term under house arrest.
