Takiyuddin stressed that the rally serves solely to defend the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s prerogative powers from manipulation and lack of transparency while supporting all lawful efforts by Najib to seek justice.
“As such, PAS has no intention of retracting its call for its members to attend the peaceful assembly at the stated date, time, and venue,” he said in a statement.
Takiyuddin said PAS fully respects and supports all legal processes and procedures related to clemency, which are overseen by the Federal Territories Pardons Board chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Yesterday, 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.
His comments came as Umno announced it was pulling out of the rally following a statement by Istana Negara and the call by police for the public not to take part in the rally.
Previously, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain 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 had all said they would also take part in the rally.
The rally is being held on the day the Court of Appeal will hear Najib’s 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 Federal Territoties Pardons Board announcement.
Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin today said the public has the right to know the truth about the alleged order and, if it exists, why it was not implemented.
“This matter is of utmost importance because any action of defiance, concealment, or denial of any order issued by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, including the addendum, constitutes a serious betrayal of the king and the nation,” he said.
He said the public’s right to seek clarity on the existence and status of this addendum is guaranteed by the freedom of expression under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution and cannot be obstructed by any party.