Najib In Prison Pm Rebukes Those Celebrating Shamsul Calls For Empathy

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has moved to restore order in his coalition government in the aftermath of former premier Najib Abdul Razak being denied house arrest by the High Court.
Meanwhile, his former aide Shamsul Iskandar Akin - who is facing corruption charges - is calling for empathy.
In a statement this morning, Anwar said he respects judge Alice Loke’s decision and that others should as well.
Loke had ruled that the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong's house arrest decree was invalid as it had bypassed constitutional requirements for the monarch to consult the Pardons Board before issuing clemency.
Following the decision, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh had implied political interference in the ruling.
Without mentioning names, Anwar stressed today that the judiciary must continue to remain independent and free of outside interference.
The premier also made a veiled rebuke at DAP - whose celebration of the ruling yesterday triggered outrage from Umno, and calls for the party to quit the Madani government.
"I call on all to handle this issue with patience and wisdom.
"Even though there are those who choose not to express sympathy with Najib and his family, it is not wise to muddy the situation and heighten tensions in this sensitive situation," he said.
Anwar's remarks echo those of other PKR leaders who have rebuked DAP and its Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin, who yesterday said Najib being denied house arrest was "another reason to celebrate the year's end".
Rein in emotions
In a separate statement last night, Shamsul said he understood Najib and the latter's supporters' feelings - while also calling for DAP to restrain itself.
"In this sensitive situation, I believe everyone should restrain themselves. Including friends in DAP and Umno, it is wise for us to jointly show political maturity by not expressing any reactions or statements that can be interpreted as celebrating the court ruling.
"The court ruling touches emotions, institutional pride, and justice for the people, and should be viewed responsibly and with empathy," he said.
He added that differences of opinion should not lead to a loss of humanitarian values as well as unity as a nation.
Take it to Parliament
The former political secretary to Anwar also said that the court ruling yesterday must be understood from a legal perspective, where there is no specific law regarding house arrest.
He said if the country feels it is time for such a mechanism to be introduced, he urged it to be debated in Parliament in line with the constitutional principles of justice.
While there is no specific law for house arrest, the Prisons Act does allow the home minister to declare any location - including a house - as a prison.
Shamsul has been charged with receiving over RM240,000 in bribes from businessperson Albert Tei in connection with the Sabah mining scandal.
Tei has also been charged with giving the bribes to Shamsul.
He faces up to 20 years in jail and a fine of at least five times the amount of bribes. - Mkini

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