Police to record statement from Tony Pua
KUALA LUMPUR: Social activist Tony Pua has been summoned by the police to Bukit Aman at 1pm yesterday to record his statement in connection with an alleged comment that he had posted on his Facebook with regard to the reduction of sentence for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak which has been deemed as an insult to the royal institution.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said police have received reports related to Tony Pua’s comments which is alleged to have insulted the Sultan of Pahang (former King) with regards to the reduction of sentence for Najib.
“The comments posted on Facebook by Tony Pua allegedly contain elements that can incite the public to hate as well as insult the royal institution.
It has also been deemed as questioning the prerogative of the King that is enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“Investigations will be carried out by the Classified Crime Investigation Unit, Prosecution/ Legal Division (D5), Criminal Investigation Department, Bukit Aman under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998,” said Razarudin.
Razarudin urged members of the public to not speculate or share false information about the case that can disrupt peace and harmony, because the case is still under investigations.
Meanwhile, Umno secretarygeneral Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the absolute power granted to the Yang di Pertuan Agong should not be questioned by anyone.
He also expressed his gratitude to Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for consistently defending and upholding the institution of the Malay Rulers during his reign as the Agong.
“The statement was made in accordance with the Constitution, emphasising the absolute power granted to the Yang di Pertuan Agong, which should not be questioned by anyone.
“It is hoped that there will be no dissenting voices questioning what has already been decided by the former Yang di Pertuan Agong.
“This is specifically in the context of the Pardons Board,” he told reporters after the Umno special meeting with division chiefs here on Sunday.
He also said Umno leadership was unified in its commitment to defend Najib.
When asked to comment on Pua’s statement in relation to the Pardons Board’s decision to halve Najib’s sentence, Asyraf said Pua’s opinion does not reflect the unity government’s stance.
He also added that Umno will continue with its plans to lodge a police report against the former Damansara MP.
Najib had initially received a 12year prison sentence and a RM210 million fine for abuse of power, breach of trust, and money laundering related to RM42 million from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
In the official statement on behalf of the Federal Territories Pardons Board, the Prime Minister’s Department’s Legal Affairs Division as the board’s secretariat said the decision was made following a January 29 meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.
It said the Pardons Board meeting, which was chaired by then Yang di-Pertuan Agong AlSultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had considered five pardons applications, including the one from Najib.
Under the Federal Constitution, the Agong chairs the meetings of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories, which comprises the attorney general, the Federal Territories minister, and a maximum of three other members appointed by the Agong.