Permit for Putrajaya gathering denied over incomplete application
PUTRAJAYA: The planned solidarity rally for Datuk Seri Najib Razak tomorrow cannot officially take place even if the organisers re-apply for a police permit, after their application for the event was rejected yesterday.Under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, a minimum five-day notice is required in the application for such a gathering.
Yesterday, the police denied permission for the rally in solidarity with the former prime minister, originally scheduled to take place at 9am here tomorrow, citing an “incomplete application” for the event.
Putrajaya OCPD Asst Comm Aidi Sham Mohamed said the rejection has been conveyed to the organisers.
According to him, the police had on Dec 31 received an application to hold the gathering.
“The organisers were from Umno.
“However, after checks it has been found that the application that was submitted was incomplete and as such the police have denied permission for the stated gathering.
“The organisers have been informed of this decision on Jan 3,” he said when contacted.
When asked if opposition party PAS had sent any application of its own to hold a similar rally, ACP Aidi Sham said that as of press time there had been no submission.
PAS has called on its leaders to mobilise members for the gathering outside the Palace of Justice here.
The rally had been planned to coincide with the Court of Appeal’s hearing tomorrow on an alleged royal addendum order that will allow Najib to serve the rest of his prison term under house arrest.
No rallying here: A file photo of a security guard standing in front of the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya. The police have denied permission for a solidarity rally for Najib, citing an ‘incomplete application’ for the event.
On Jan 3, Istana Negara said in a statement that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has the prerogative to pardon, postpone sentences and relieve punishments for any offences committed in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan based on the provisions under Article 42 (1) and 2 of the Federal Constitution.
“His Majesty may also remit, suspend or commute any sentences that have been handed down by the court for the particular offence,” the statement added.
“Applications for a pardon or reduced sentences must be submitted by the prisoner concerned for the consideration of the Pardons Board, which he chairs, at its next meeting,” it said.
Istana Negara reminded everyone to respect the Constitution and the law.
Following the statement by Istana Negara, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain advised all to respect the powers of the King.
“To respect the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and maintain public safety and order, the police urge the public not to participate in any rallies organised by any party,” he said in a statement, also on Jan 3.
Later that night, Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced in a statement that the party has decided not to proceed with the planned rally.
He said the decision was made based on the principle of honouring the decree of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on pardons or sentence reductions for convicted prisoners, and following the directive of the IGP.
PAS, however, said it will carry on with its plan to gather in front of the courts tomorrow.
Najib is seeking a mandamus order where, if the addendum order exists, all or one of the respondents must execute the royal order and immediately move him from Kajang Prison to his residence in Kuala Lumpur for him to serve his remaining sentence under house arrest.
In 2022, Najib was handed a 12-year sentence after being found guilty of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering in relation to RM42mil that had been siphoned from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd. He was also fined RM210mil.
However, in February 2024, the Pardons Board decided to commute Najib’s jail term from 12 years to six and reduce the fine to RM50mil.
