Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim has refuted allegations of a concealed “royal addendum” in Dato' Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest case, asserting that the government has been transparent and followed proper legal procedures.
Addressing the issue during the Muhibbah Madani Programme in Bukit Mertajam, Anwar emphasized the need to clarify misconceptions and highlighted the critical role of the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) in such matters.
“This matter is not something we are hiding. We must understand how the law functions,” Anwar said, according to Berita Harian as reported in The Malay Mail. He explained that the documents related to the addendum were submitted directly to the AGC, not to him or any member of the Pardons Board. Furthermore, following the recent change in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the documents were forwarded to the Istana Negara, as the King chairs the Pardons Board.
The decision regarding Najib's pardon was merely advice from the AGC to the previous Agong, in whose meeting he participated. Anwar clarified that decisions regarding Najib’s pardon are within the Agong’s discretion, made during formal Pardons Board meetings. "Any decision rests with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, but it is determined during Pardons Board meetings, not outside of them," he stated.
Contrary to speculation, the issue of Najib’s case was not raised in the Pardons Board meeting when Anwar attended as Federal Territories Minister although he brought up the matter himself to allow the Agong the opportunity to make a decision.
Subsequently, he had appointed Dr. Zaliha Mustafa to represent him on the board after stepping down as a member in 2023.
The Prime Minister stressed that Najib’s legal team retains the right to appeal to the new Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, as part of due process.
Anwar explained that individuals sentenced to prison have the option to appeal to the Sultan of their respective state after three years, or to the Agong if they are in Kuala Lumpur.
Anwar detailed that appeals for pardons typically involve reports on health and conduct in prison and are thoroughly assessed by the board before a final decision is made.
Opposition Criticized for Political Exploitation
Anwar did not shy away from calling out the Opposition for leveraging the issue to gain political mileage. Highlighting what he described as PAS’s inconsistent stance, he criticized their newfound support for Najib, despite their previous condemnation of him. “Where are the principles? Where is Islam? Where is the Malay spirit?” he questioned.
The Prime Minister also reminded the public that Najib’s prosecution, sentencing, and imprisonment were initiated under previous administrations led by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and Dato' Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, respectively and not under his leadership.
Legal Division Stresses Accountability
Earlier, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, acting as the Secretariat to the Pardons Board, issued a statement clarifying that it had received no official communication from the Palace regarding the addendum. It emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Pardons Board and warned against making misleading public statements, which could lead to legal consequences.
As the controversy unfolds, Anwar’s detailed response aims to quell speculation and reaffirm the government’s commitment to transparency and the rule of law, ensuring that justice remains free from political manipulation.
By: Kpost
Information Source: Malaymail , YouTube/Kinitv
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