KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — Lawyers for Datuk Seri Najib Razak are contesting the Attorney General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to temporarily suspend his house arrest, demanding the former prime minister be transferred to his home immediately.
In a media statement today, the legal firm Messrs Shafee & Co. argued that the AGC’s “temporary suspension” of the house arrest order contradicts the King’s explicit decree issued this morning.
“His Majesty has now spoken. The AGC can honour that commitment in only one way: by allowing the Titah (decree) to be carried out today,” the statement read.
The legal team argued that the High Court’s “Order of Discharge on Payment of Fine” issued on November 6 cannot be used to extend Najib’s imprisonment, citing the order’s own recital that the fine has been paid.
“In law, payment of a fine discharges the liability to pay that fine. It cannot, by itself, bring a sentence of imprisonment to an end,” the statement said.
They further asserted that the Pardon is an exercise of the King’s prerogative under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution and is not subject to review by any court or the Attorney General.
The statement noted that the AGC issued a subsequent media statement 57 minutes after the King’s decree, which did not reference the royal order.
According to the legal team, Najib remains in Kajang Prison as of the statement’s issuance, with no effect yet given to the King’s decree.
They have requested the Commissioner General of Prisons to transfer Najib to his residence at No. 11, Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta, Kuala Lumpur.
“His Majesty’s order must be carried out today,” the statement read.
