AMANAH today apologised to Umno over an earlier statement by communications director Khalid Samad for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to reject Najib Razak’s pardon application.

Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub said he had personally extended the apology to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“In conjunction with Hari Raya Aidlfitri, I, on behalf of Amanah, apologise over the statement issued by the Amanah communications director recently, and if that statement offended or hurt Umno, we apologise,” he said at Zahid’s open house in Putrajaya today.

The apology came hours after party president Mohamad Sabu said in a statement that Khalid’s remarks do not represent the party’s stance.

Mohamad said everyone has a right to offer their opinion as provided in the Federal Constitution, but Khalid’s view was not the party’s view.

Mohamad said Amanah, PKR and DAP are part of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and are subject to PH’s decisions, which should be prioritised if views voiced by components contradict the coalition’s decision.

“In the case of (the royal pardon of) Najib Razak, the authority that has the power to make the decision is the king. All parties must respect any decision made by the king,” he said in the statement posted to his Facebook page today.

Earlier this week, Khalid appealed to the king to reject Najib’s pardon bid.

He said Amanah does not want the people to lose confidence in the government and Malay rulers.

Earlier today, Umno Supreme Council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi called Amanah a party Umno cannot consider a true friend, although both pacts work together in the unity government.

Amanah is a component of PH, which leads the unity government with the support of Barisan Nasional, of which Umno is a member.

Zahid told Amanah not to interfere with the pardon process. – April 30, 2023.