Summary

  • MIC deputy president M Saravanan says “thousands of party members” will join Umno’s rally in solidarity with former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak on Jan 6.

  • He says this is about securing justice for the ex-premier.

  • MyPPP president Loga Bala Mohan also says he will mobilise about 500 members from his party.

Ahead of the Umno-led solidarity rally for former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak next Monday (Jan 6), MIC said thousands of its members would also hit the streets.

MIC deputy president M Saravanan also defended the rally, saying it is beyond “party and racial politics” and is about justice for Najib over an alleged royal addendum which would allow the jailed ex-premier to serve his sentence under house arrest.

“There is no political agenda. The peaceful assembly by thousands of Malaysians on Jan 6 is to show solidarity with Najib.

“This is also about honouring a leader who has contributed tremendously to the people and nation,” he said in a statement today.

Umno has confirmed it would hold a rally for Najib on that day, which coincides with the day the Court of Appeal is scheduled to hear the alleged addendum case.

Najib Abdul Razak

Previously, Najib’s son Mohd Nizar filed an affidavit claiming Pahang ruler and former Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah told him about the existence of the addendum to a Pardons Board decision.

Following Umno’s decision, PAS also urged its members to join the rally via an internal memo by party secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | 'House arrest': Is there such a thing?

‘Respect our laws’

Meanwhile, People’s Progressive Party president Loga Bala Mohan also confirmed his party members will join the rally.

“We are looking at about 500 members participating,” he told Malaysiakini.

Addressing critics, Loga Bala urged respect for the country’s laws - including the court process and the king’s power to pardon.

“He (Najib) has the right to make an application (to the court and king). Why must anyone make an issue out of something provided for by the law?” he asked.

LETTER | Rally if you must, but read addendum order judgment too

LETTER | Rally if you must, but read addendum order judgment too

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