JOHOR BARU, April 10 — Johor PKR’s federal lawmaker Hassan Abdul Karim reminded Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that it would be detrimental to the unity government if former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak receives a royal pardon and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s case is dropped.
He said the two high-profile cases will have an impact on the present government and Anwar as the prime minister needs to be reminded on the possible outcomes.
“The political coalition of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and PKR will be rejected by the people in the next six state elections (PRN).
“Following that, PH and PKR will be rejected by the people in the next general election.
“In the end, PH and PKR will collapse and fall together with Barisan Nasional (BN) as well as Umno if Najib and Ahmad Zahid are freed and get off easily.
“If that happens, don’t say that I didn’t remind you,” said Hassan in a statement today.
The Pasir Gudang MP’s tone was a sharp reminder to Anwar in response to recent developments relating to Najib’s royal pardon and Ahmad Zahid’s case adjournment in the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
Hassan, who is known for his outspokenness, said that it is possible that such an undesirable scenario will happen.
“The good image of the government led by Anwar has at present been tarnished by these two issues,” he said.
Commenting further, Hassan said that the main reason for delaying Ahmad Zahid’s case was to wait for the attorney general’s (AG) decision on whether the 47 charges against him should be dropped.
He said developments in Ahmad Zahid’s case at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today were worrying.
“It seems that the role of the AG is in both areas. First, the AG took the position in pardoning Najib under Article 42(5) of the Federal Constitution that the Pardons Board chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong should also include the AG,” he said.
Hassan then said Article 42(9) states that the Pardons Board must consider any written opinion that may have been submitted by the AG.
The activist lawyer explained that under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution it is clearly mentioned and defined the power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is subjected under Article 42(4)(b) that his authority is carried out in accordance with the advice of the Pardons Board in accordance with Clause (5) of Article 42.
“This legal position is very clearly different from the discretionary power of the AG, who is not the King and not the Agong in the civil courts.
“The power of the AG to drop 47 charges against Ahmad Zahid is almost absolute under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution.
“This is dangerous and quite troubling and alarming to anyone who upholds justice, transparency and the truth,” he said, adding that under Article 145(3) it is stated in writing that the AG shall have the power to exercise at his discretion to initiate, conduct or stop any proceedings for an offence in a civil court.
On August 23 last year, the Federal Court upheld the conviction and sentence of 12 years imprisonment and a fine of RM210 million imposed on Najib, who was found guilty of embezzling RM42 million of funds belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.
On March 31, Najib failed to obtain permission to review the sentence and his conviction.
Following that, the former prime minister has submitted his application for a royal pardon by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that a 200-page representation to drop the 47 charges in his corruption case was sent to the AG Tan Sri Idrus Harun in January and February.
