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PAYA RUMPUT – Perikatan Nasional (PN) has challenged the entire DAP leadership to resign over the controversy surrounding former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's house arrest, questioning why only its secretary-general Anthony Loke should step down over the issue.
PN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the decision concerning Najib's house arrest also involved the Pardons Board's process and jurisdiction and therefore should not be treated as an issue involving only one political leader.
"We challenge the DAP leadership, if they are truly against this decision, then all of them should resign. Supposedly, we are against the principle that (Najib) is not eligible to receive a house arrest pardon, so why is it only the secretary-general (of DAP) resigning?
"What about Nga Kor Ming? What about the Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh, who is also a member of the Pardons Board? She also knows," he said.
He was speaking at the PN and Barisan Nasional (BN) Grand Finale ceramah programme in Kampung Krubong, here on Wednesday.
Also present were BN chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PN's Paya Rumput candidate Rafie Ahmad.
Tuan Ibrahim, who is also Pas deputy president said decisions concerning pardons and house arrest should be understood within the framework of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's constitutional powers and the legal processes governing such matters.
He stressed that serving a sentence under house arrest did not mean the individual concerned was free from imprisonment.
"He is not free. He remains in detention, as is the case in many other countries that have house arrest arrangements. For us, this is a prerogative right held by the Pardons Board and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," he added.
Najib was granted a conditional pardon in September, allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case under house arrest.
On Nov 10, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that the former prime minister could serve the remainder of his sentence at his Langgak Duta residence, with immediate effect.
The issue has since become a national political talking point during the Melaka election campaign, with its potential implications for BN-PN's electoral prospects drawing attention.
The Election Commission has set Nov 14 as polling day for the 16th Melaka State Election, following the dissolution of the 28-seat State Legislative Assembly on Sept 23.
Nomination day was held on Oct 31, while early voting took place on Nov 10. The 14-day campaign period will end at 11.59pm on Nov 13.
A total of 79 candidates are contesting all 28 state constituencies, with a coalition needing at least 15 seats to secure a simple majority and form the state government.
