PUTRAJAYA, Sept 10 – Pakatan Harapan (HARAPAN) must remain focused on fulfilling the people’s mandate and avoid a ‘defeatist’ attitude with about a year left in its term
Selangor HARAPAN Leadership Council chairman Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said party leaders had discussed at length the position of the Federal Government should former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak receive a royal pardon.
He said that every view presented must be respected including the views from the grassroots level but the main focus is to ensure that the mandate given by the people are being addressed in the best possible way.
"This matter has been discussed in depth and we need to respect the views of the grassroots.
"However, we have been given responsibility because our numbers were the highest in the last General Election (GE). We have fulfilled that responsibility by bringing economic success and maintaining stability in the face of crisis,” he said.
He said this when met with reporters after attending the Selangor 2027 State Budget engagement session at the Le Meridien Hotel, here, today.
Amirudin said that the remaining administration period of about a year must be utilised to complete the mandate and deliver the best results to the people.
He said that taking a ‘defeatist’ attitude when the match is still not over is not a wise decision.
In a related development, Amirudin said HARAPAN has never disputed the power of royal pardons and respects the authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers in the matter.
He said there are no disputes regarding the power raised by his party, on the contrary HARAPAN understands and acknowledges the jurisdiction of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers.
“We have not raised any dispute. We understand that His Majesty (DYMM) Seri Paduka Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers have the authority and full authority to grant pardons.
“The matter has indeed been acknowledged and has never been touched upon,” he said.
Amirudin added that developments related to the royal institution in several states, including the change of sultan or king, have not changed HARAPAN’s stance on the power of royal pardon.
He said HARAPAN also did not prevent any Pardons Board meeting that was said to be taking place, but rather only presented its views on the matter.
“If there is a pardon meeting that is said to be taking place, we will not prevent it. There are only views that have been presented,” he said.
Yesterday, the media reported that UMNO secretary-general Datuk Seri Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki claimed that HARAPAN had begun to show their “true colours,” which was alleged to have several times belittled and disputed the institution of the Malay Rulers for political gain.
Asyraf also expressed regret over the statement by the HARAPAN Secretariat which was alleged to have questioned the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s power of pardon, in addition to describing it as contrary to the principles and conditions agreed upon in the formation of the Unity Government.
The issue arose following questions regarding the pardon of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, including HARAPAN's stance on punishment for corruption offenders and the principle of the rule of law.
Meanwhile, the Federal Territories Pardon Board (LPWP) is expected to meet tomorrow to consider, among others, Najib's application for pardon in relation to his convictions in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
