PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has steered clear of addressing inquiries regarding the reported “supplementary order” permitting former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve his sentence under house arrest.
Najib has sought permission from the Kuala Lumpur High Court to initiate judicial review proceedings to compel the government to produce the alleged “supplementary order” purportedly issued by the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah during the Federal Territories Pardons Board’s meeting on Jan 29.
“I don’t want to be involved in discussions about the addendum (supplementary order),” Anwar told reporters when asked whether the “supplementary order” existed.
“This falls under the jurisdiction of the Pardon’s Board, over which the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers have absolute authority. All parties should accept this and focus on ensuring security and strengthening stability.”
Each state possesses its own pardons board appointed by the respective Sultan or governor. However, the federal territories’ board members are appointed by the king.
The Federal Territories Pardons Board (FTPB) is headed by the king and consists of five members – the Attorney-General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh, Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa and a maximum of three others appointed by the king.
Earlier on Feb 2, the FTPB reduced Najib’s prison sentence in his SRC International case from 12 years to six years and decreased his fine from RM210 mil to RM50 mil.
Currently serving his sentence at Kajang Prison, Najib is slated for release on Aug 23, 2028.
On April 1, the former premier initiated legal proceedings to compel the government to produce the purported “supplementary order” asserting that the government was in contempt for not executing it.
However, his legal team had not received a response after reaching out to Anwar and other top government officials to confirm its existence.
Moreover, in an affidavit supporting Najib’s application, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi claimed to have viewed a copy of the alleged order on the mobile phone of Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz.
When questioned about the affidavit, the Prime Minister noted that Zahid was acting in his capacity as the UMNO president.
“Our stance is that all matters involving the Malay Rulers should not be challenged in court. This has been the government’s position, even before independence. I won’t comment further.” – April 19, 2024
