House erupts after Takiyuddin brings up royal addendum issue

PARLIAMENT | The Dewan Rakyat erupted after Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) raised the issue of an alleged royal addendum linked to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

“He (Najib) had his jail sentence and fine reduced. However, there is this issue where the government’s number two (Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) filed an affidavit to support the leader’s application (Najib’s application for house arrest).

“One affidavit reads that he (Zahid) had seen it (the addendum) after a party leader, who is also a minister, was claimed to have said that when Najib received his partial pardon, the previous Agong had also issued an addendum for him to be placed under house arrest,” he added.

Unimpressed, RSN Rayer (Harapan- Jelutong) stood up and raised a standing order, chiding the Perikatan Nasional chief whip.

The DAP lawmaker reminded Takiyuddin (above) that as a lawyer, he should not question the previous Agong’s decisions and conduct.

“When debating a bill, an MP should not be raising issues pertaining to the Agong’s conduct as per Standing Order 36(8),” Rayer stated.

However, Takiyuddin defended his remarks and said he was not in breach of the regulation.

Instead, the PAS leader insisted he just wanted to verify the existence of the addendum.

‘No need to continue’

MPs from both sides of the house soon engaged in a verbal spar, prompting Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Alice Lau to mute their microphones.

“Members of the house, I will not allow Kota Bharu to question the conduct or decisions made by the Agong.

“And whatever Kota Bharu wanted to say has been spoken. So, there is no need for us to continue with this.

“If you’re seeking a clarification, the minister in charge will answer,” she added.

On April 17, Zahid filed an affidavit to support Najib’s claim of a supplementary royal order for the latter’s remaining jail sentence to be served under house arrest.

Zahid claimed that on Jan 30 during a meeting in his house at Country Heights, International Trade and Investment Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz informed him of the addendum order dated Jan 29.

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