Credit : Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, November 11, 2026 – UMNO has thanked the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for what it described as the firmness of His Majesty’s decree on the conditional pardon that led to house arrest for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and warned that acts of protest over the pardon could be taken as challenging and committing derhaka, or disloyalty, against the King’s constitutional powers.
The position was set out in a media statement dated November 11, 2026, signed by UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and posted on his Facebook page, according to reports by Utusan Malaysia and Malay Mail.
Zahid said the decision on the conditional pardon, which brought about the implementation of house arrest, was the right and power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, and must be respected by all parties. Malay Mail reported that the statement said those powers and rights must be respected by all institutions and the public.
“UMNO is of the view that any act that displays elements of protest, including using the decreed decision on the conditional pardon as a reason for an action being taken, could be taken to mean challenging and committing derhaka against His Majesty’s constitutional powers,” the statement said, in a translation of the Malay wording quoted by Utusan Malaysia.
The party said it humbly conveyed its gratitude — merafak sembah menjunjung kasih — for the firmness of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree on the matter. It said UMNO would remain steadfast in defending the dignity and sovereignty of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the institution of the Malay Rulers.
The statement also said Malaysia is a country governed by law, and that all legal processes must be carried out within the framework of the Federal Constitution. “So long as processes involving legal matters remain within the constitutional framework, it is the duty of all the people to defend it,” Zahid said, as quoted by Utusan Malaysia.
The statement ended with the words “Daulat Tuanku”, Malay Mail reported.
The statement did not name any individual, party or organisation in connection with the protest it warned against. It was issued the day after Najib, 73, began serving the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest at his residence in Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta. He was moved from Kajang Prison on the evening of November 10, arriving at about 9.30pm, The Star, Malay Mail and Sinar Harian reported, after a High Court order that afternoon by judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin set aside a November 6 discharge order and replaced it with a fresh order in line with the conditional pardon granted by Sultan Ibrahim on September 18. A condition of that pardon, the payment of Najib’s RM50 million fine, had been met on November 6. Under the new court order, he is to serve the remaining six-year reduced prison sentence at home until August 23, 2028.
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