EVEN though the people are desperate for justice, Pakatan Harapan remains committed to upholding the rule of law, even against its political foes, Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said in explaining why former prime minister Najib Razak was not behind bars. 

The deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said the slew of criminal charges against Najib had to be substantiated first before he could be jailed. 

“We respect the principle of presumption of innocence, even for our political opponents. 

“As the offences he is being accused of is bailable, he has the right to be out on bail if he can afford the bail money and fulfil its conditions. 

“The bail can only be revoked if he breaches these conditions,” he said, adding he had been asked on many occasions why Najib remained a free man despite being accused of stealing billions. 

Hanipa said that while these questions were legitimate, the legal process had to be respected. 

Najib has been on a publicity blitz of late, despite facing a slew of charges. 

Since losing the 14th general election, Najib has been slapped with 42 charges of corruption in relation to his involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal. – February 2, 2019.