KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) members have the freedom to express their personal views, president Mat Sabu said today amid a growing row over Umno’s pardon bid for convicted former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
But Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, stressed that the personal views of his colleagues do not officially represent those of the party.
He added that Amanah as a component member of Pakatan Harapan (PH), will comply with whatever official decision the ruling coalition makes.
“Amanah leaders have the right to voice their opinions but they are tied to the party’s decision, this is normal practice in any organisation. In the case of our former sixth prime minister Najib, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the one who makes the decisions so we should respect that.
“Amanah, PKR or DAP are all united in Pakatan Harapan and are bound by the decision of the party. This is the same in the unity government, any decisions made at the unity government level will supersede those of the parties or coalitions,” he said on Facebook this afternoon.
Mohamad’s statement comes hours after Umno supreme council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi took a swipe at Amanah, claiming the PH component party’s leaders were playing with fire and putting the “unity” federal government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at risk by calling to deny Najib a pardon.
He singled out Amanah communications director Datuk Seri Khalid Samad who was reported to have said that a pardon for Najib should be rejected as it would send a bad message that could tarnish Malaysia’s international reputation and commitment to fighting corruption and power abuse.
Najib is serving a 12-month jail sentence in Kajang Prison after being found guilty of misappropriating RM42 million belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former 1MDB unit.
The former Umno president is still on trial for a slew of other 1MDB related charges.
Puad, who had last night bemoaned “Bossku” Najib’s absence from the engagement part of the latter’s youngest child Norashman Najib, also lashed out at Amanah deputy president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
Yesterday, Salahuddin had called for everyone to respect the law and follow due process in the pardon application.
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid confirmed on April 9 that the party was proposing a date to appear before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to present a pardon appeal on behalf of Najib.
Previously, the Umno Supreme Council requested the Agong’s discretion to consider a full pardon for the former party president following the provision under Article 42 (1) of the Federal Constitution.
