Kuala Lampur, Sept. 10 -- There have been reports over the past few days that the Federal Territories Pardons Board will meet this Friday, with Datuk Seri Najib Razak's application for clemency expected to be considered.

Whether true or not, the constitutional process, including the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, must be fully respected. However, respect for the constitutional process does not require us to abandon our political principles.

At our recent party convention, DAP delegates gave the leadership a clear mandate to remain in government until the end of the parliamentary term, and that decision must be respected. However, the mandate was given based on the circumstances before us at the time.

If Najib is released without ...