KUALA LUMPUR: Tony Pua — as a former member of parliament and a politician — should know better than to issue statements that are defamatory and can potentially incite public hate towards the institutions of justice, including the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the chairman of the Pardons Board.
Umno Youth executive committee member Muhamad Aizat Noor Azam said the statement made by the DAP politician on his Facebook page criticising the Pardons Board's decision to reduce Datuk Seri Najib Razak's prison sentence and fine is wrongful and violated the laws of the country.
"This issue is not something to be taken lightly because we, as Umno members, love and miss Datuk Seri Najib. "We take a stand to respect the decision made by the Pardons Board because it follows the federal constitution where the decision is made by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"Because of that, we feel it is not appropriate for any individual, especially a former member of parliament who should have a better understanding of the law, to make statements that are defamatory and seem to incite and demean the institutions of justice, including the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the chairman of the Pardons Board."
Aizat, who earlier lodged a report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, acted after Pua posted a series of cryptic messages on his Facebook account, including one that read, "I beg your pardon?"
Today, Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Adam called on the Home Ministry and police to take action against Pua under the Sedition Act for allegedly disrespecting the Pardons Board's decision.
Yesterday, Umno Youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh said he would lodge a police report against Pua for disrespecting the decision made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced Najib's prison sentence from 12 to six years and the fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Najib was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million after being found guilty of abuse of power, breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain today confirmed that Pua will be summoned for questioning over his remarks on the Pardons Board's decision.
Razarudin said investigations had been initiated into Pua's Facebook statement.