The High Court’s dismissal of Najib Razak’s house arrest application triggers varied reactions, with Umno leaders questioning trial fairness while others urge respect for the judiciary.
PETALING JAYA: The High Court’s rejection of Najib’s bid to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest drew mixed reactions, with Umno leaders questioning the fairness of his trial and the court’s reasoning.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi said the outcome was “widely expected” but insisted that Najib had not received a fair trial in his criminal breach of trust and money laundering conviction involving RM42 million linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Puad questioned whether there were parties intent on keeping Najib behind bars.
“This drama has dragged on for two years. The addendum decree was concealed. The Court of Appeal’s decision was appealed by the attorney-general. Who advised the AG to file the appeal?” he wrote.
Puad also challenged the court’s reasoning, referring to High Court Judge Datuk Alice Loke’s finding that the alleged addendum decree was issued outside a Pardons Board meeting.
“But why was the pardon of PMX (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) considered valid even though, at the time, the attorney-general and the federal territories minister had yet to be appointed?” he added.
Umno is expected to discuss its next steps in defending Najib at the party’s general assembly on Jan 15.
Another Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam suggested that Najib should submit a fresh royal pardon petition.
“I believe Najib can only be freed through a new royal pardon,” Lokman told theSun via WhatsApp.
“His future depends on His Majesty.”
The ruling also drew criticism from MCA Youth information chief Neow Choo Seong, who condemned a Facebook post by DAP’s Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin celebrating the High Court’s decision.
“As human beings, we should never rejoice in the suffering and hardship of others.
“The prayers of those who are oppressed are often answered, sooner or later,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Pekan Umno Youth deputy chief Mohd Hazwan Md Ghazali said support for Najib remains unwavering.
“Our support remains firm and will not change. We deeply miss him. It has been nearly three years since his imprisonment. We and the local community are saddened and disappointed by today’s decision.”
He declined to comment on whether Pekan Umno would table a motion to withdraw support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani government. Meanwhile, criminologist Datuk Shahul Hamid Abdul Rahim said Najib still has the option of appealing the High Court’s decision at the Court of Appeal, subject to proper legal procedures.
While the ruling may disappoint Najib and his supporters, Shahul Hamid said the judiciary’s decision must be respected, noting that the judge’s grounds appeared to have legal merit.
