MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has accused Pakatan Harapan (PH) of applying “double standards” after the coalition called for those convicted of corruption or abuse of power, particularly in high-profile cases, to serve their sentences in full.
Wee questioned why PH had not raised similar objections when former Sabah state minister Peter Anthony was released on parole in March, after serving about a year of his three-year jail sentence.
“The same principle must be applied consistently,” Wee said in a statement today.
Anthony was convicted in 2022 of forging a letter from the office of the Universiti Malaysia Sabah deputy vice-chancellor 11 years earlier in connection with a maintenance and service contract.
He began serving his sentence last year after his final appeal against the conviction was dismissed.
Wee’s remarks came after PH called for corruption and abuse-of-power offenders to serve their full sentences, amid reports that the Federal Territories Pardons Board (FTPB) is expected to meet on Sept 11.
Among the matters reportedly set to be considered is imprisoned former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s bid for a pardon over his convictions linked to the 1MDB scandal.
Najib, 72, was convicted six years ago of misappropriating RM42 million belonging to SRC International. He was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million, and has been serving his sentence at Kajang Prison since August 2022.
The FTPB subsequently reduced his jail term by half to six years and cut his fine to RM50 million.
In December 2025, Najib was also convicted of abuse of power and money laundering involving more than RM2 billion linked to 1MDB. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined RM11.38 billion, with the conviction currently under appeal.
Wee said PH’s position failed to take into account Malaysia’s existing legal framework and provisions under the Federal Constitution.
He pointed out that the justice system provides mechanisms such as parole and remission, while the power to grant pardons rests with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under Article 42(1) of the Federal Constitution.
Wee said it was inappropriate to demand that convicted individuals serve their sentences in full while disregarding legal mechanisms that allow sentences to be reduced.
“It shouldn’t be a case where we proclaim ‘rule of law’ when a decision favours us, but question the mechanisms enshrined under the Federal Constitution when it is applied to those we don’t like,” he said.
“Principles should not change for different individuals,” he added.
