'Najib solidarity rally undermines govt, casts doubt on Umno's sincerity'

Summary

• Lim Guan Eng criticises Umno’s collaboration with PAS for a solidarity rally supporting Najib Abdul Razak, warning it undermines the federal coalition government’s stability and public confidence in Umno’s sincerity.

• The rally, scheduled for Jan 6, marks their first joint effort since 2022 and coincides with a hearing on a potential royal addendum that could shift Najib’s prison term to house arrest.

• Lim condemns Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh for questioning Anwar’s royal pardon in 2018, calling it a destabilising move that challenges both the prime minister’s legitimacy and the king’s authority.

As Umno and PAS prepare for a solidarity rally supporting former Umno president Najib Abdul Razak, DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng has warned that such actions raise concerns about the stability of the federal coalition government.

The Bagan MP cautioned Umno that any joint programme with the opposition party PAS - whether solidarity gatherings or demonstrations - risks undermining political stability and casting doubt on Umno’s position in the government.

He also emphasised that such actions could erode public confidence in Umno’s sincerity in forming the federal government under the mandate of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2022.

Umno and PAS are set to put aside their differences temporarily as they prepare to stand together in a solidarity gathering for Najib on Jan 6 at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya.

The rally coincides with a hearing concerning an alleged royal addendum that could potentially allow Najib to serve the remainder of his prison term under house arrest.

PAS had issued an internal memo urging members to turn up at the rally, which will be the first time since 2022 that PAS and Umno - once allies under the Muafakat Nasional banner - will be teaming up.

‘PM must restore political confidence’

Lim voiced concerns about the broader implications of this collaboration, particularly in light of recent attacks by Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Akmal had questioned whether Anwar's royal pardon in 2018 had gone through the Pardons Board. His remarks came after the Attorney-General’s Chambers said that Najib's bid for house arrest needed to go through the Pardons Board chaired by the sitting Agong. 

“This casts doubt not only on the prime minister’s legitimacy as an MP and head of government but also on the authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong himself,” Lim said.

He described such actions as destabilising for the coalition government, of which Umno is a key component, and called on Anwar to address the issue promptly.

“As a member of the federal coalition government, such behaviour undermines political stability and the position of the prime minister,” Lim stated.

“I urge the prime minister to take appropriate measures to rectify this and restore public confidence in the coalition,” he added. 

‘Don’t manipulate laws’

Meanwhile, CSO Platform for Reform urged Umno and PAS to abandon their attempts to manipulate the rule of law for political gain.

“Malaysians deserve leaders who uphold justice and integrity, not those who prioritise interests of the convicted over the well-being of the nation,” it said in a statement today.

The NGO also concurred with the AGC’s reminder that clemency pleas must go through proper channels as outlined in the Federal Constitution.

“Any deviation from established procedures would undermine the sanctity of the Agong’s authority and Malaysia’s justice system,” it stressed. 

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