SHAH ALAM, Sept 18 — The government will keep upholding the rule of law and fighting corruption despite the conditional pardon granted to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the decision does not mean the government will tolerate corruption or abuse of power, adding that all ongoing anti-graft cases will proceed, according to an Utusan Malaysia report.
“This does not mean that the country should succumb to embezzlement and corruption,” he said when met after Friday prayers at Surau Nur Perdana in Precinct 10, Putrajaya, today, when commenting on the conditional pardon granted to Najib by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
The pardon allows Najib to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, if he pays a RM50 million fine.
The decision was made at the Federal Territories Pardons Board meeting this morning.
Anwar said that as prime minister, his responsibility was to advise Rulers on the matter’s legal implications and effects on national stability, adding he had considered guidance by the attorney-general.
“Ultimately, the Federal Constitution provides for the absolute power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and I hope we accept this positively.
“I want to emphasise that all cases, whether involving Najib (or anyone else), must proceed according to due process,” he added.
“This country must be saved and we need the resolve and support of all Malaysians to ensure this is a country governed by the rule of law.
“This country will no longer take lightly any misconduct or abuse of power to enrich any leader or any citizen. This is our position,” Anwar vowed.
