M.Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, adjunct professor and author
The Star on 18th April carried a front page blurb quoting: DPM Zahid Hamidi “House arrest order genuine. Zahid says he saw a copy of addendum order on Zafrul’s phone.”
An addendum order for a house arrest was indeed part of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s partial pardon, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says.
The Deputy Prime Minister has backed up the former prime minister’s application for leave to initiate a judicial review of the addendum order, which Najib claimed came from the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
In a supporting affidavit, signed and affirmed on April 9, Ahmad Zahid “confirmed the existence” of the addendum order, which he said was “genuine”.
Now, if the former King does not acknowledge he said it and if it is not proven there was a house order arrest pardon document, it could be contempt of court, according to some lawyers.
According to news reports, Zahid said he was shown the document by former Selangor Umno treasurer Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz at his (Ahmad Zahid’s) house at Country Heights on Jan 30.
Ahmad Zahid said Tengku Zafrul showed him a copy of the addendum order on his (Tengku Zafrul’s) phone which he photographed or scanned from an original copy as shown to him by the former King.
Najib had claimed that the addendum order, which was part of the partial pardon granted to him on Jan 29, would allow him to serve the remainder of his prison term under house arrest.
Najib’s lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, recently told the court that a crucial witness would sign an affidavit in support of Najib’s application.
If there was no evidence of House Arrest, then who staged or orchestrated this drama of fabricating facts to pardon Najib?
It is believed that Ahmad Zahid was the crucial witness.
“The contents of the addendum order expressly stated that the applicant (Najib) be allowed to serve the reduced sentence of his imprisonment under the condition of house arrest, instead of the current confinement in Kajang Prison,” Ahmad Zahid said in his affidavit.
He said the addendum order was dated Jan 29 and had the seal and signature of His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI.
“I further confirm that the addendum order is genuine and is the Royal Prerogative Order as the Main Order. I verily believe that for a sufficient period, I sighted and read the addendum order, and I saw the entire contents and that it forms part of the pardon process.
“Thus, I hereby confirm the existence of the addendum order dated Jan 29 issued by the former King,” Ahmad Zahid stated.
However, Zahid said he did not have a copy of the document due to confidentiality and propriety.
The truth will unfold itself over time whether it was stage-managed.
ends
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, adjunct professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns.
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