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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright September 2022
Sultan of Selangor may have inadvertently dampened the euphoria over a signature campaign mounted by UMNO to obtain a pardon from the King for convicted and jailed former prime minister Najib Razak.
Of late, Najib's supporters are becoming louder by the day in trying to lobby for him to be pardoned even when he is still facing so many charges in court involving corruption, money laundering and criminal offences.
First, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah revoked the titles that he conferred upon Najib Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor effective from 12.09.2022. Malay Mail.
This act of revocation which might be necessitated by guidelines governing conferred titles where individuals found guilty of criminal offences would have theirs withdrawn by the state, could also be interpreted as the displeasure of the monarch with Najib and Rosmah.
It could also be read to mean that the Royal house of Selangor disapproves of what the latter's followers in UMNO are planning. The Sultan's next action, delivered on the same day, might be taken as an indication of his displeasure and disapproval of the politically motivated campaign mounted by UMNO members to free Najib by means of a King's pardon. But the Sultan is apolitical. He does not take sides.
However, the Sultan did express his strong support for Yang di-Pertuan Agong's assertion that "royal pardons cannot be meted out arbitrarily."
In his brief statement, he said he would like to convey his "solid" support for the decree by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on September 5, 2022, with regards to "the prerogative power to pardon that cannot be meted out arbitrarily for the sake of vested interests." UMNO may be regarded as one of those groups with vested interests that has everything to benefit from Najib's release.
He then turned to the general public in his statement telling them that they must "understand that the pardon processes may be done according to the law and procedures as provided under the Constitution and its relevant laws." Malay Mail.
If you recall what the King said when he officiated the opening of the Pahang Shariah Court Complex in Kuantan, on September 5, you would easily understand what the Sultan of Selangor meant in his statement.
That is, the power to punish and pardon must not be used arbitrarily because it has consequences and will have to be accounted for in the next life.
The Sultan of Selangor has chosen to repeat that decree in a show of support for the King and perhaps indirectly dampen the groundswell amongst UMNO members.
The King was quoted by Bernama, as saying, "If the law is not implemented consistently and fairly, justice will certainly not be achieved as the philosophy behind the enactment of a law would have been tainted, and as a result, the disadvantaged party would end up being victimised by those in power." In addition, the King also said that Islamic justice prohibits privileges being extended or exceptions being made for anyone who commits wrongdoing, be it for oneself, close friends, family members or even own parents.
I suppose Najib might be considered close to so many in powerful positions who do come under this particular prohibition, after having committed a crime no privileges would be extended to him under the rule of law be it shariah or Common Law.
We are not preempting what the King might do in his wisdom but the above is an indication as to what could happen to Najib's application for a pardon submitted to the palace recently within the 14-day limit as stipulated by the law in order for the MP of Pekan to keep his seat. The Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat ruled that Najib may keep his seat until the result of his application for pardon is decided by the King.
Meanwhile, His Majesty the King and the YMM Sultan of Selangor have spoken. UMNO members are well advised to heed their warnings and be prepared for the King's decision, whatever it might be.
But going by the prevailing trends, however, it's in their best interest to stop their signature campaign to persuade the King to pardon Najib.
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