KUALA LUMPUR: Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Puad Zakarshi said the Attorney-General (A-G) needs to answer Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's query in parliament if a house arrest was included in Datuk Seri Najib Razak's royal pardon.
This follows the former prime minister, Ismail Sabri's address in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, asking the government to reveal if a house arrest was included as part of Najib's royal pardon application.
"The Attorney-General needs to answer Ismail Sabri. Najib is not like other politicians. He does not incite his followers to take to the streets or cause chaos within the party," Puad wrote in a Facebook posting.
"He prioritises stability. He does not want unrest. Unfortunately, Najib continues to be a victim of politics because of his goodness.
In Ismail's debate on the royal address in parliament yesterday, Ismail said he had learnt that Najib, currently detained in Kajang Prison, had appealed to be transferred to house arrest.
Pointing to Ismail's claim, Puad added that it was important for the A-G to be transparent on the matter.
"That's why Ismail Sabri's question in parliament must be answered truthfully by the Attorney-General. Is it true that when the pardon appeal was made, there was an attachment for Najib to be allowed house arrest?
"This must be determined, especially if it is true that there is indeed a letter of consent for Najib to be allowed house arrest. There must be transparency," he said.
On Feb 2, the Federal Territories Pardons Board had reduced Najib's fine, as well as halved his 12-year jail term to six .
This meant that the former prime minister would be released from prison on Aug 23, 2028.
Several days later, Najib's lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah alleged that the Pardons Board did not operate in accordance with the Constitution's requirements.
He said this was one of their arguments for filing a fresh full Royal Pardon soon, alongside other grounds.
"It is unclear if the process of the Pardons Board and the decisions made to it are regular or otherwise. The law clearly states that the Royal Prerogative of mercy is the sole discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. It is unfettered and non-challengeable in any court.
"However, many public members are somewhat concerned due to the inconsistencies. My client is most baffled. As a result of these unsatisfactory features, we are looking at another application for a full Royal Pardon," he was reported as saying.