'I'm not anti-monarchy': Hassan on royal power and feudalism

Soft-spoken but outspoken, PKR veteran Hassan Karim is known for his candour, even when addressing sensitive issues involving powerful figures.

The Pasir Gudang MP has never shied away from speaking up on matters involving the royal institution and the Malay rulers. But he insists that his outspokenness should not be mistaken for hostility towards the monarchy, which he holds in high regard.

"I am not anti-monarchy," Hassan told Malaysiakini.

"I fully understand the concept of a constitutional monarchy. But if the system begins to lean towards an absolute monarchy or feudalism, that is something I cannot agree with," he said.

For Hassan (above), respecting the monarchy does not mean staying silent when royal powers are exercised in ways he disagrees with.

This stance is evident in his criticism of the royal pardon granted to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and his assessment of the government's reform record.

Speaking on KiniTV's "Explain Sikit, Kini!" podcast, hosted by Malaysiakini news editors Yiswaree Palansamy and Jimadie Shah Othman, the former Johor PKR chairperson reiterated his reservations about Najib's pardon.

Najib was convicted of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power, and money laundering involving RM42 million in SRC International funds.

Last month, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar granted the former Pekan MP a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest, subject to payment of a RM50 million fine.

Previously, the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, halved Najib's 12-year prison sentence to six years and reduced his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million. A purported addendum allowing Najib to serve his sentence under house arrest subsequently became the subject of a separate legal dispute.

In December 2025, the High Court ruled that the addendum was invalid and unenforceable because the proposed house arrest arrangement had not been deliberated on at the relevant Pardons Board meeting. Najib withdrew his appeal against the ruling in April 2026.

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A delicate balancing act

Hassan acknowledged that the government faces a delicate balancing act in responding to the issue.

"In previous cases, the courts established that a pardon falls strictly under the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"The government does not want to be seen as defying the royal institution - that is their dilemma," he said.

But the 75-year-old politician said he had no such reservations about speaking his mind.

"I see the government's dilemma, but I don't share it. I am not part of the executive branch.

"My duty is to my constituents and my principles as a PKR and Pakatan Harapan MP," he added.

Regarded within PKR as a voice of reason, Hassan said he also raised concerns in the Dewan Rakyat during debates on the royal address about public perceptions that political elites convicted of corruption were being treated leniently.

"It is all on record in the Hansard. I prefaced my remarks with 'Ampun Tuanku' (Pardon me, Your Majesty). I carried out my duty within the law and wasn't investigated under the Sedition Act.

"Again, I am not anti-monarchy. But I will always speak out against any shift toward feudalism," the lawyer-politician stressed.

Asked to compare Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s approach to the monarchy with that of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Hassan declined to draw direct comparisons.

He nevertheless praised Mahathir as "the bravest prime minister" for pushing through constitutional amendments that established the Special Court to try members of the royal institution.

Govt earns barely passing mark

Assessing the federal government's progress in fulfilling its reform promises ahead of the 16th general election, Hassan gave it a score of just 51 percent.

"The remaining 49 percent has yet to be delivered. It’s merely a conditional pass to qualify for the next election," he remarked.

He highlighted deaths in custody, detention without trial under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, and the continued use of the Sedition Act 1948 as areas requiring urgent reform.

The recently tabled Budget 2027, he added, would be a crucial test of Anwar’s leadership.

"If the electorate rejects this budget, it won't just be Anwar who falls. The entire government will collapse, and PKR will face an existential crisis," he warned.

Despite his criticisms, Hassan credited the administration with introducing welfare measures to help lower- and middle-income groups. These included the Rahmah Sales initiative, expanded tax relief for the M40, and the permanent appointment of 9,000 contract medical officers.

"This shows the government is capable of listening," he noted.

On Harapan’s ties with Umno, Hassan suggested that their federal partnership was driven by circumstances rather than a lasting political alignment.

"When Parliament dissolves, Umno will chart its own course, whether independently or through alliances like Muafakat Nasional. That will naturally relieve Harapan of the burden of this coalition," he added.

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