Royal pardon petition for Najib is Umno's stance, not government's, says M'sian minister

PUTRAJAYA — The royal pardon petition for jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is Umno's stance and not the government's.

Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew, who is also DAP secretary-general, said the petition was never raised in the cabinet meeting for discussion, even by Umno ministers.

"It (royal pardon) is Umno's stance as a political party, not the cabinet's. This is a fair process that anyone can appeal for after being convicted.

"Whether granted or not, is up to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah).

"We put our trust in the process and the king's wisdom to make the best decision," he said during a press conference at the Transport Ministry's office on Monday (April 10).

Umno recently announced that the party would be appealing to the King to consider granting a royal pardon to Najib as per Article 42(1) of the Federal Constitution.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the matter had been deliberated, decided, and agreed upon when the Umno Supreme Council convened its monthly meeting on April 7. NEW STRAITS TIMES