Umno ditches plans to attend pro-Najib rally

PETALING JAYA: Umno has pulled out of a rally planned on Jan 6 to show support for imprisoned former prime minister Najib Razak.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said tonight the party has full confidence in the grace and wisdom of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to grant justice to Najib, who is a former Umno president.

However, PAS said the party has “no plans to cancel the rally as we believe it is lawful”, said party information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari. “However, we will continue to monitor developments from time to time,” he said in a text message.

“We believe that the right to assemble is guaranteed in the constitution, and we will not violate the laws enshrined in it. We believe that the people have the right to assemble for any reason,” he added.

Asyraf said the party acknowledged Istana Negara’s statement earlier today which reiterated the king’s constitutional power to grant pardons for offences committed within the federal territories.

“Umno will never disregard the Federal Constitution and will continue to respect the law,” he said. “In the spirit of upholding the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s command and in accordance with the directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Umno has decided not to proceed with the rally on Jan 6.”

Politicians from various parties agreed to attend the rally in support of Najib, who has a court appearance that day over a legal challenge to be allowed to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest.

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