Amanah questions moral stance of Umno, PAS over Najib pardon

Amanah's deputy president has launched a pointed critique of Umno and PAS, questioning their moral authority following their public backing of the royal pardon extended to Najib Razak earlier this month.

The Amanah official argued that both parties have compromised their ethical standing by endorsing the pardon, which significantly reduced the former Prime Minister's sentence. This move, the critic suggested, sits uncomfortably with the Islamic principles that both Umno and PAS claim to champion.

The controversy centres on Najib's conviction in a landmark corruption case that saw him found guilty on multiple charges including abuse of power and money laundering related to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. Despite the conviction, senior figures from both Umno and PAS publicly celebrated the royal pardon, drawing accusations of partisanship.

Amanah's position reflects the broader political tension within Malaysia's Malay-Muslim political landscape, where rival factions continue to contest fundamental questions about governance standards and accountability. The party's criticism underscores ongoing disputes about whether religious and political principles can be reconciled with support for controversial pardons in high-profile cases.