KUALA LUMPUR: MIC will hold special prayers in Batu Caves to show solidarity with former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Monday, said its deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.
He said the party would proceed with the solidarity gathering in the form of a prayer vigil, as thousands of MIC members had committed to volunteering for the event.
"MIC will proceed with the solidarity gathering since thousands of MIC members have committed to volunteering for the event.
"However, instead of gathering at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya, MIC will hold special prayers for Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Batu Caves Murugan Temple at 11am on Jan 6.
"MIC also warmly welcomes the Indian community at large to join us in these prayers, to collectively pray and wish for Datuk Seri Najib Razak to obtain justice on the addendum.
"Let us, as a nation, continue to honour the balance of powers enshrined in our Constitution and respect the processes that safeguard our democracy," he said in a statement.
Saravanan said His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia's recent statement that the pardon process must go through proper channels, serves as a timely reminder of the sanctity of the constitutional framework.
"MIC fully respects and upholds His Majesty's decree regarding the prerogative powers provided under Article 42 (1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution, which grant the authority to pardon, commute, and remit sentences for offences committed within the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya.
"While MIC, along with other political parties, had planned to gather on Jan 6 in solidarity with Najib, I find there is nothing wrong with such a gathering.
"It is a demonstration of support and unity that does not contravene His Majesty's decree.
"Solidarity gatherings are a democratic right and must be viewed as separate from the formal processes His Majesty has rightfully emphasised," he said.
He said the addendum issued by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, permitting house arrest conditions for Najib, must also be respected.
As Najib seeks to address alleged ethical concerns surrounding the judicial process this coming Monday, he firmly believes Najib's right to a fair and impartial judicial review must be upheld, he said.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain warned the public not to take part in any illegal gatherings or assemblies seeking pardons, urging people to follow proper legal channels instead.
Following the warning, Umno decided to cancel its attendance at the rally.
Separately, MCA announced it would also not mobilise party members to the rally.
Earlier today, Putrajaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Aidi Sham Mohamed said the organiser's application to hold the solidarity rally was rejected due to incomplete submission.