After Amanah apology, Muda steps up with official stand on Najib pardon

Muda today said that any application for a royal pardon for former leader Najib Razak should be rejected, a day after Amanah apologised for a similar statement issued by its communications director which sparked a strong reaction from Umno, the party's comrade in government.

In a statement, Muda's central executive committee said this was the official stand of the party. 

"Muda is of the view that the application for a pardon for Najib Razak should be rejected by the Pardons Board," it said. 

"This is the official stand of the party which objects to any move to save any kleptocrat that has troubled and mortgaged the country."

Former Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad had said on April 28 that a pardon for Najib would send a negative message to the people, the country's justice system and the entire world about Malaysia's attitude towards corruption and abuse of power. 

"Will giving a pardon to someone who has embarrassed the country on a global scale show a firm and uncompromising stand towards corruption? Surely not. 

"On the contrary, it will give the wrong signal that the war against corruption is just empty words for political interests, and that eventually everything will return to normal," he said. 

Najib was convicted in 2020 of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power in relation to the misappropriation of RM42 million in SRC International funds.

He began serving a 12-year jail term in August last year after losing his final appeal. 

In March, the Federal Court dismissed his application for a review of his conviction and sentence, dashing his last hope of legal recourse in the case. 

Umno subsequently began spearheading an attempt to obtain a royal pardon for the former president, who still wields significant influence within the party. 

Khalid's statement was met with anger from Umno, with Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi labelling Amanah as an untrustworthy friend in the current government.

Kelantan Umno, set to become allies with Amanah in their bid to capture the PAS-held state at the coming polls, likewise demanded an apology from Khalid, who later said that he had done so. 

He however added that his apology was for having a different stand. 

"It's more important to move on and focus on the coming state elections," he said.

Khalid's apology followed that of Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub, with the party's president Mohamad Sabu also saying that Khalid's remarks were his personal view. 

In its statement today, Muda said any pardon for Najib would send the wrong signal to Malaysians. 

"Would any ordinary citizen found guilty of the same crime be given the same privilege?" it said, adding that Najib had been convicted of not one but seven charges.

"A pardon for Najib who has just only begun serving his sentence would give the message that any individual with influence and powerful connections does not need to fear the law."

Adding that it would continue to fight against any move to save kleptocrats, including by those who wish to challenge the integrity of the judiciary, it said this was not the view of any single individual in the party. 

"And we do not plan to apologise for this stand."