Summary

  • Umno cancelled its Jan 6 rally supporting its former president Najib Abdul Razak after a royal decree and police warnings.

  • In announcing the cancellation, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki emphasised adherence to constitutional rules and respect for His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Umno has called off its rally slated for Jan 6 to show support for its former president Najib Abdul Razak, who would be attending a court hearing regarding the purported royal addendum allowing him to serve his remaining prison sentence at home.

This is following a decree from the palace and a warning from the inspector-general of police not to attend the rally.

“Umno will never act contrary to the Constitution and remains committed to respecting all rules and laws as decreed by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“In line with the principle of upholding His Majesty’s decree and following the directive from the inspector-general of police, Umno has decided not to proceed with the assembly scheduled for Jan 6, 2025.

“Umno places its full confidence in the benevolence and wisdom of His Majesty, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in delivering full justice to Najib,” said Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (above) in a statement today.

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak

Earlier today, Istana Negara issued a reminder that anyone seeking clemency for a prisoner should submit an application to the Pardons Board, whose meetings will be chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

It echoed a similar statement by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) last week, which cited a decree by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

The AGC emphasised that if anyone, including Najib, wishes to propose to serve his remaining sentence under house arrest, the relevant application should be submitted to the Pardons Board for consideration in accordance with the law – and not by any other means.

This is to prevent the king’s decisions based on the Pardons Board’s advice from being challenged in court.

Following this, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain today urged members of the public not to take part in any rallies about the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s right to pardon prisoners.

Alleged supplementary order

Najib was previously sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and fined RM210 million after being found guilty of corruption in the RM42 million SRC International case.

Following a meeting on Jan 29 last year, the Pardons Board decided to reduce his sentence to six years imprisonment and a RM50 million fine.

However, it has been alleged that the board’s chairperson at the time, the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, also made a supplementary order for Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence at home.

Najib has filed for a judicial review to compel the government to reveal whether the order exists, and if so, to carry out the order.

The hearing is slated to take place at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya on Jan 6. Umno had planned to hold the rally outside the courthouse to show solidarity for Najib.

Other parties had pledged to join the rally too, including Umno’s rival PAS.

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