Anwar, PH owe rakyat answers over Najib's conditional pardon, says Rafizi

SHAH ALAM – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership need to explain to the public the house arrest granted to Datuk Seri Najib Razak, says Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.

The Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) founder said he hoped they would not repeat the same argument that the matter was out of their control.

He said at the very least, Anwar should announce the conditions of the house arrest in detail so that action can be taken over any clear breach.

"Let ordinary people be the eyes and ears of society so that this house arrest is carried out strictly according to the conditions imposed.

"This is not a political matter, but a debt Anwar and PH owe to the people over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, especially the unnamed individuals who took great risks in carrying out their daily duties until this issue became public knowledge.

"Anwar gained significantly from the 1MDB issue, even though he was in prison during the height of the scandal's unfolding, between 2015 and 2018.

"The responsibility of fighting for the people's rights over 1MDB was carried by ordinary people among civil servants, the media and activists. So it is only right that Anwar and the PH leadership explain this matter to the people," he said in a Facebook post on Friday.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, had earlier consented to grant Najib a conditional pardon to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, provided he pays a fine of RM50 million.

This was announced by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department in a statement.

The decision was made after obtaining the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who chaired the Federal Territories Pardons Board meeting today.

Rafizi added that he also hoped the public would be given room to express their views within the bounds of the law.

However, he said ordinary people need to exercise restraint in expressing their views on this matter as it took place under the PH administration.

"To Malaysians who feel deeply about the 1MDB scandal and the string of issues that followed it, I hope we all realise that the responsibility of safeguarding the people's trust is ongoing work that will never stop.

"To Najib, his family and their supporters, I hope they understand that the wound from the 1MDB scandal runs deep for most Malaysians.

"While I am at peace with the decision that has been made, it would be best if the house arrest process proceeds quietly, so as not to invite various other reactions," he said.