Rally Is Lawful Pas Says After Igp S Call

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PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said Malaysians have the constitutional right to assemble as long as there are no elements of provocation that violate the law.
PETALING JAYA: A Jan 6 rally in solidarity with former prime minister Najib Razak is lawful, a PAS leader said today after a call by the police for the public not to take part in any rallies in light of a statement from Istana Negara.
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said Malaysians have the constitutional right to assemble as long as there are no elements of provocation that violate the law.
“As of now, we have no plans to cancel it as we believe it is lawful. However, we will continue to monitor developments from time to time,” he told FMT in a text message in response to a call by the Inspector-General of Police, Razarudin Husain.
“We believe that the right to assemble is guaranteed in the Federal Constitution, and we will not violate the laws enshrined in it. We believe that the people have the right to assemble for any reason,” Fadhli said.
His comments came as Umno announced it was pulling out of participation in the rally following the Istana Negara statement and a call by police for the public not to take part in the rally.
Fadhli said party secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan would announce the party’s decision on whether to carry on with the rally either tonight or tomorrow morning.
Earlier today, Razarudin said Istana Negara had clearly directed all prisoners wishing to seek a pardon to submit their applications to the pardons board, and not through any rallies or channels that do not comply with the law.
Takiyuddin had earlier issued an internal party memo saying the rally would focus on Najib’s appeal for leave to commence judicial review proceedings over a purported royal addendum to a pardons board decision in February last year to commute his 12-year jail sentence.
The memo also called for party members to gather for prayers and speeches at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya at 9am on Jan 6.
Umno, MCA, MIC and Bersatu have said they would also attend the rally. However, in a statement tonight, Umno said it will not participate in the event in deference to the king’s wishes and Razarudin’s directive.
Najib is currently serving a six-year prison sentence, halved by the pardons board from the initial 12 years, following his conviction in the SRC International case.
The rally is being held on the day the Court of Appeal will hear his application for leave to adduce fresh evidence in his appeal to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest, an order which he claims was issued in a supplementary order to the pardons board announcement. - FMT

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