UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has accused the government of committing an act of disloyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong by delaying the implementation of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s house arrest.
Asyraf claimed that all decisions and conditions set by the Pardons Board had been fulfilled, including the payment of the fine imposed on the former UMNO president.
He stressed that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s royal pardon powers under Articles 42(1) and 42(2) of the Federal Constitution must be respected.
“What is the need for further delays in implementing the house arrest after the fine has been fully paid?
“Any attempt to delay the implementation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree and the Pardons Board’s decision is an act of disloyalty and a violation of rights guaranteed under the Federal Constitution,” he said in a statement on Friday.
The remarks came after the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) temporarily postponed the implementation of Najib’s house arrest arrangement to seek further clarification on the interpretation of the Conditional Pardon Order granted in September.
The AGC said the delay was necessary following legal questions over the implications of the RM50 million fine payment on Najib’s remaining prison sentence in the SRC International case.
The chambers identified two possible interpretations of the order, which require further examination before the next steps can be taken.
Under the first interpretation, payment of the RM50 million fine fulfils only the financial component of Najib’s sentence, while his prison term for the SRC International case would continue until August 23, 2028, with the remainder served under house arrest.
The second interpretation is that payment of the fine fulfils a condition for the pardon to take full effect, potentially meaning the entire sentence for the SRC International case, including the prison term, would be considered completed.
The AGC said the legal implications needed to be clarified before the house arrest arrangement could proceed.
