Umno leaders should understand procedure before 'threatening' PM, says Tuaran PKR chief
He was referring to remarks made by Wangsa Maju Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Shafei Abdullah, which he said showed a disregard for constitutional processes and only served to stir public confusion.
'It is foolish to issue threats without understanding the law or procedure — this only shows how little some Umno leaders actually grasp about the Constitution,' he said in a statement Friday (July 18).
'In Najib Razak's pardon situation, the Pardons Board had already agreed to reduce his sentence to six years' jail and a RM50mil fine, down from the original 12 years and RM210mil fine,' he added.
On Thursday (July 17), it was reported that Shafei, speaking before 160 Umno division leaders, urged Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to meet with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to push for the implementation of a royal addendum allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
He also warned that further action may be taken if the government fails to act on the matter.
Razeef said the so-called addendum was not valid under the Federal Constitution as it was never presented to or approved by the Pardons Board.
'Umno, which I believe has many legal practitioners, should understand that under Article 42(4) of the Federal Constitution, the power of pardon is subject to the advice of the Pardons Board.
'And based on the 1994 amendment to Article 40(1A), the Yang di-Pertuan Agong must act in accordance with that advice,' he said.
Razeef said Najib's family or Umno should instead submit a fresh application in order for the matter to be properly considered by the Pardons Board.
'Using an addendum that did not go through the proper legal channel only exposes the ignorance of Umno's leadership,' he added.
'At the very least, they should respect the law and judiciary by allowing court proceedings on the matter to conclude first.'
Razeef also said Umno should be grateful that Anwar — despite being imprisoned during Najib's premiership — did not act out of vengeance.
'Instead, Anwar supported a reduction in Najib's sentence in recognition of his service as prime minister,' he said.
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