PAS wants Najib's house arrest enforced, DAP Youth cites rule of law

PAS says it respects the High Court decision rejecting Najib Abdul Razak's house arrest bid, but insists that the royal decree be carried out immediately regardless.

Meanwhile, DAP Youth has issued a reminder for all to follow the rule of law.

In a statement today, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan argued that under Article 42, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has absolute discretion when it comes to pardons and clemency, executed through the Pardons Board.

He then painted the court case as an attempt to place such authority under judicial and bureaucratic control.

"As such, PAS firmly views that the addendum, which is part of the direct decision of the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong, must be accepted, implemented, and enacted by law immediately without any protest from the judiciary or administration - just like when Anwar Ibrahim was pardoned in 2018," Takiyuddin (above) said.

Judge Alice Loke, in dismissing Najib's bid to be placed under house arrest, had ruled that Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah's decree to that effect was invalid.

This is because the decree was not issued in consultation with the Pardons Board, as required by the Constitution.

READ MORE: High Court grounds of judgment in Najib's rejected house arrest bid

Takiyuddin said PAS fully supports Najib's bid to appeal the High Court ruling.

‘Focus on reforms’

DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong said that in law school, two things are taught: the “rule of law” and that the "Federal Constitution is supreme".

"Now some don't understand, some pretend not to understand, and some willfully refuse to understand," he said in a statement.

Woo said the government should not entertain ridiculous demands and focus instead on what Pakatan Harapan supporters want - reforms to make the country better, not worse.

"Harapan need not sacrifice its principles for individuals or pressure groups who have actually never agreed with reforms," he said.

His response comes amid backlash from Umno over DAP leaders celebrating the High Court decision yesterday.

Umno leaders are now pushing for the party to leave the Madani coalition in response.

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