Pardon Anwar to prove we are compassionate - Zaid Ibrahim

Former Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim in a series of tweet, had called on Malaysian leaders and Islamic scholars to throw their support behind the royal pardon for jailed Opposition leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

As an Islamic state with high ratings on maqasid as syariah, compassion is core principle. Pardon Anwar to prove it #fb
— Zaid Ibrahim (@zaidibrahim) February 25, 2015

If anyone has got some sense left abandon road shows about the verdict, instead go on massive show of support for the pardon #fb
— Zaid Ibrahim (@zaidibrahim) February 25, 2015

I am interested to see if Jakim and the scholars will support the pardon; or as I suspect are they waiting for signals #fb
— Zaid Ibrahim (@zaidibrahim) February 25, 2015

He also challenged the ulama in PAS to support the royal pardon for Anwar.

I dare the Ulamaks in PAS to support the pardon. Show us your qualities of mercy and compassion #fb
— Zaid Ibrahim (@zaidibrahim) February 25, 2015

Zaid also cited two politicians, former Culture, Youth and Sports minister Datuk Mokhtar Hashim and former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Harun Idris who were given royal pardon before.

Anwar seeking royal pardon is good move and he should get it. If Mokhtar Hashim( murder) and Harun Idris ( corruption) can be pardoned #fb
— Zaid Ibrahim (@zaidibrahim) February 25, 2015

Mokhtar was sentenced to death for shooting his political rival, Datuk Mohd Taha Talib in 1982. The death sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment.

Harun who was the longest serving Selangor MB, was charged with corruption and sentenced to six years of prison in 1976.

Yesterday, Anwar’s family had submitted a petition for a royal pardon to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah at the eleventh hour, on his conviction for sodomy.

In a statement, Anwar's second child, Nurul Nuha, 31, said the petition was made 'based on Article 42 of the Federal Constitution'.

The family also placed their confidence in the institution of Constitutional Monarchy in the matter.

[SODOMY II: How the case unfolded]

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia told Bernama that Anwar's status as the Permatang Pauh MP will only be determined after his pardon petition has been decided upon by the King.

He said he could only submit a vacancy notice in line with Article 54 of the Federal Constitution for the state seat only after the MP lost his eligibility to continue to be the MP as per paragraph (c), Clause (4), Article 48 of the Federal Constitution.

Anwar who is currently serving a five-year jail term after being found guilty of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, will automatically lose his position as the MP for Permatang Pauh if he did not seek a pardon from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.