A STATEMENT by Amanah communications director Khalid Samad appealing to the King and the Pardons Board to reject Najib Razak’s pardon application is uncalled for and could affect unity government ties, said Mohamad Hasan.

“There are bound to be loose cannons in every party. So we do not take such comments into consideration.

“If we want to preserve harmony and good ties, please do not make statements that can have a negative impact on others,” the Umno deputy president was quoted as saying by The Star online at his Hari Raya open house in Rantau today.

Earlier Amanah president Mohamad Sabu sought to distance the party from Khalid’s statement when he said calling for the King to reject Najib’s pardon was not the party’s stand.

He said everyone has a right to offer his or her opinion as provided in the Federal Constitution but Khalid’s view was not the party’s stance.

He noted that in an organisational context, the views of individuals do not represent the organisation or party unless an official decision was reached.

The Kota Raja lawmaker said Amanah members had the right to air their opinions, but these were still subject to party concensus.

Mohamad Hasan, who is the defence minister reminded Barisan Nasional members to refrain from making statements which interfered in the affairs of components and to instead focus on strengthening the party.

“If all of us (including in the unity government) can do this, then we will become a force to be reckoned with.

“We should not poke our noses into the affairs of others. It is pointless being nosey.

“We should instead worry about our own affairs,” he was quoted as saying in the Star report.

Earlier this week, Khalid had appealed to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to reject Najib’s pardon application.

He said this was because it did not want the people to lose confidence in the government and institutions of the Malay rulers.

The pardon, if granted, would send a wrong message to the world about Malaysia’s attitude towards corruption, when several countries are also prosecuting the perpetrators of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, Amanah communications director Khalid Samad said.

Amanah’s stand had caused an uproar within Umno with some state leaders calling for Umno to cut ties with PH.

Earlier today Umno Supreme Council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi had labelled Amanah as a party that could not be considered as a true friend, although they are together in the unity government.

He said Amanah was only a political ally and not a trustworthy partner after the party had said it would not support any pardon move for former prime minister Najib Razak.

Amanah is a component of Pakatan Harapan (PH), which is leading the unity government with the support of Umno and Barisan Nasional as well as other parties.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also deputy prime minister, also told Amanah not to interfere with the pardon process and allow the king to decide on it.

The Pardons Board, which convened on Friday, however, reportedly did not hear Najib’s application, among the 28 that were heard. – April 30, 2023.