IPOH: Perak Umno has asked its members to throw their full support behind a petition seeking a royal pardon for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Perak Umno chairman Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the instruction, which came from party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday, was not unusual.
"Of course, Umno supporters are in sympathy with Najib's fate and we will seek a royal pardon for him.
"Of course, the Palace wants to see how many people request it. Overall, Umno has three million members and it would be great if all Umno members sign the petition.
"We must start now and I have instructed the state Umno liaison to instruct all 300,000 Umno members in Perak to sign the petition.
"Umno branch meetings are also being held and we will take this opportunity to sign it," he said after attending an event with Perak Felda settlers at Laman Seri Ridzuan here, today.
It was reported yesterday that Ahmad Zahid said the party would be organising a petition to push for Najib's royal pardon.
Last night, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) chairman said the people would be disappointed if Najib were to be granted a royal pardon.
"There are people in power who can release Najib. Whether that person wants to release Najib, is up to him, not me to decide.
"But the first step is, the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) can seek a royal pardon for Najib. The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong can decide.
"When we ask people what if Najib is released after stealing billions of ringgit, lying... of course, such an action would only disappoint the rakyat," Dr Mahathir said after attending an event at Station 18, Pasir Puteh here, yesterday.