Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government respects the spirit of the Federal Constitution and the decision by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim concerning former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
However, Anwar said this does not prevent him from offering views and advice based on the law, constitutional principles and the national interest.
Speaking at the 3 Generations Appreciation Dinner: Continuing The Legacy Of The Struggle, Anwar said the government’s position remains that Malaysia cannot tolerate corruption or the misuse of national wealth for personal gain.
“When we discuss the controversy surrounding Najib’s case, I respect the spirit of the Constitution, but that does not prevent, for example, a prime minister from giving views and advice based on the law and principles.
“What do we want to convey? This country cannot tolerate corruption and the practice of taking the nation’s money,” he said.
Anwar also referred to past controversies involving institutions including Lembaga Tabung Haji, the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felda) and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
He said individuals accused of taking the country’s wealth must remain accountable, regardless of any decision concerning Najib.
“Tabung Haji, Felda, 1MDB — those who took the wealth must answer for it. Whatever the decision, we must not lose sight of the need to safeguard our country,” he said.
Najib, 73, has been serving a prison sentence at Kajang Prison since August 23, 2022, after being convicted over the misappropriation of RM42 million belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.
On September 18, Sultan Ibrahim granted Najib a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, subject to payment of a RM50 million fine and compliance with the conditions imposed.
The conditional pardon was decided at the 64th meeting of the Federal Territories Pardons Board for Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.
The dinner was also attended by Anwar’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan.
More than 2,000 members of the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM), Wadah Pencerdasan Umat Malaysia (WADAH) and the National Association of Malaysian Islamic Students (PKPIM) attended the event.
