It's a split 2-1 decision in Najib's favour

The Court of Appeal today heard former premier Najib Abdul Razak’s bid to enforce an alleged royal addendum granting him house arrest.

Outside the Palace of Justice, PAS mobilised a rally to show solidarity with Najib and uphold Yang di-Pertuan Agong's powers to grant clemency.

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Our reporters on the ground were Hidir Reduan Abdul Rashid, Hariz Mohd and Haspaizi Zain.

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Crowd starts to disperse

2.30pm: Najib Abdul Razak’s supporters start to disperse after they meet Najib's son Nazifuddin, who greets the crowd as he leaves the court compound.

Only a handful of supporters and media members are still around at the complex's rear entrance.

It’s why we’re here today, says Takiyuddin

2pm: PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan welcomes the Court of Appeal decision, which he said proves that the royal addendum granting Najib house arrest exists.

He cites how Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously refused to affirm whether or not the addendum is real, citing today's court hearing.

"That is why we are here today,” he says.

Najib off to another hearing

2pm: Some 100 supporters of Najib Abdul Razak are still waiting at the rear entrance of the Palace of Justice, hoping to catch a glimpse of the former prime minister.

However, it is learned that Najib is not coming out anytime soon as he has to attend the 1MDB case hearing at the same premises.

‘Daulat Tuanku’, Najib’s supporters rejoice

1.35pm: Najib Abdul Razak supporters celebrate the Court of Appeal's decision.

Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who was in the courtroom earlier, leads the crowd in chanting "Daulat Tuanku" several times.

Akmal then leaves the court complex in a car.

Najib successful in his house arrest bid

1.14pm: The Court of Appeal allows Najib Abdul Razak's house arrest appeal.

The three-person bench in a split 2-1 decision orders the Kuala Lumpur High Court to hear the merits of Najib’s judicial review.

Fellow appeal bench member judges Azhahari Kamal Ramli and Mohd Firuz Jaffril are part of the majority ruling, while bench chairperson Azizah Nawawi delivered the dissenting ruling not to allow the appeal.

In reading out the majority ruling, Firuz notes there was no rebuttal from the respondents challenging the existence of the alleged royal addendum.

Firuz says Najib demonstrated an arguable case.

Court reconvenes

1.02pm: The Court of Appeal reconvenes.

900-strong crowd so far, police say

12.30pm: Putrajaya police estimate over 900 supporters have showed up for the rally in support of Najib Abdul Razak, with most gathered at the back and front right side of the Palace of Justice.

"We estimated more than 900 supporters as of 10am. The situation so far is under control," Putrajaya district police chief Aidi Sham Mohamed was quoted as saying by The Star.

To manage the gathering, 456 police officers and personnel from the Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur police headquarters were deployed to the area.

Aidi also notes that three roadblocks were set up along the main routes leading to the location from 8pm yesterday.

Nizar greets Bossku supporters

12.15pm: Chants of "Hidup Bossku!" rocks the compound of the Palace of Justice as former premier Najib Abdul Razak's son Nizar makes an appearance at its rear entrance to greet Najib supporters.

The Pahang state exco member spends several minutes shaking hands with rally-goers across the fence before making his way back into the court building.

It is understood that the Court of Appeal is on a short break before reconvening at 1pm, where the judges are expected to deliver its ruling on Najib's appeal.

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Court takes a break, to decide at 1pm

11.50am: Court of Appeal is set to decide at 1pm whether to allow Najib Abdul Razak's appeal for leave to commence a judicial review to enforce an alleged house arrest royal addendum.

The three-person appellate bench chaired by judge Azizah Nawawi stands down proceedings until 1pm.

Jamal wants action on those ‘hiding’ addendum

11.45am: Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Yunos urges action against the people in power for hiding the alleged royal addendum if the court confirms its existence.

Present with over 50 Umno members from his division to show solidarity with former premier Najib Abdul Razak, he says the government should be honest and transparent on the matter.

Jamal also expresses disappointment in Umno's decision to cancel its rally today, which he believes could gather up to a million people.

However, he admits that it was the right decision so as not to upset the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Shafee: Govt’s silence on addendum deafening

11.43am: Najib Abdul Razak's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah argues that the home minister and government's silence on the existence of the house arrest royal addendum means it does exist.

"Their silence is deafening, and thus means the addendum must exist," the lawyer tells the Court of Appeal.

Judge disturbed over AGC’s lack of challenge

11.27am: Court of Appeal panel member judge Mohd Firuz Jaffril says he is disturbed that the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has not outrightly challenged the existence of a royal addendum allowing former premier Najib Abdul Razak to serve the remainder of his jail sentence as house arrest.

The judge points out that so far, the arguments by the legal representative for the home minister, the government and several others were legal technicalities rather than denying the existence of the royal addendum.

"I am very disturbed," Firuz says, adding that he is just expressing his thoughts and has yet to decide whether Najib's appeal ought to be allowed.

If Najib wins today's appeal, the Kuala Lumpur High Court will hear the merits of his lawyers' arguments that the addendum does exist and that the government must ensure it is enforced.

‘Addendum not discussed in Pardons Board meeting’

11.09am: The Pardons Board's legal representative argues that the board on Jan 29 last year only dealt with the royal advice to discount Najib Abdul Razak's jail sentence and fine.

Senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan said that the Pardons Board meeting at the time did not deal with alleged royal addendum for Najib to serve the remainder of his jail term as house arrest.

The legal representative from the Attorney-General's Chambers says the Court of Appeal ought to reject the attempt to admit an affidavit by Mohd Nizar Najib.

Proceedings resume

11.06am: Court of Appeal proceedings resume.

Court on a quick break

10.52am: The Court of Appeal stands down proceedings briefly.

It is expected to resume within 10 minutes.

Kedah MB arrives in Putrajaya

10.40am: The crowd starts chanting “Allahuakbar” (God is great) multiple times as Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor arrives at the court complex.

He is accompanied by PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad and a group of party members.

Sanusi, however, declines to be interviewed.

It is learnt that opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin is also present and is in the courtroom.

Fadhli awaits Akmal for face-to-face

10.30am: PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari says he is waiting to meet Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

"I am waiting to see him," he tells reporters outside the court complex.

His remarks are in response to a question of whether the two have met today, as Akmal had earlier challenged Fadhli to have a face-to-face meeting over the latter's cryptic Facebook post.

Fadhli had on Saturday posted a cryptic remark on his social media that appeared to take a jab at Umno for cancelling its plan to join today's rally.

Royal addendum on house arrest exists - Shafee

10.17am: Najib Abdul Razak's counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah argues that the royal addendum on house arrest exists.

The lawyer contends the alleged addendum was kept hidden until it surfaced on Dec 2 last year.

Shafee submits that the addendum surfaced after the Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed Najib's house arrest judicial review in July last year.

‘No hate’: Khairuddin shows up to support Najib

10.15am: Khairuddin Abu Hassan, who was imprisoned under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) when Najib Abdul Razak was in power for filing reports over the 1MDB scandal with the FBI and others, makes a surprise appearance to support the former premier.

“We are here because of the issue involving Najib. I’m not emotional over Najib and I have never been enemies with him.

“My relationship with Najib and Rosmah Mansor remains intact,” he is quoted as saying by The Star.

‘More could’ve come if Umno didn’t call off rally’

10am: The situation is calm outside the court complex as a crowd estimated to be over 1,000 people gathering in support of Najib Abdul Razak are chatting with each other while waiting for the outcome of the former premier's appeal.

Among the crowd are leaders from Umno and PAS, including Shahidan Kassim, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari and Pahang Umno information chief Fadzli Mohamad Kamal.

Fadhli tells reporters that the large crowd of supporters participating in the rally today, especially many from Umno, signifies the rakyat's support for Najib to be treated fairly and given his right to the purported addendum order.

The PAS leader also condemns Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and says more could have participated in the rally if the deputy prime minister had used his influence to facilitate the event.

"I am quite disappointed because as the number two in the government, he (Zahid) could have used his influence to at least allow the rakyat to come here today, and I believe if permission was given (by authorities), the crowd today would be multiple times larger," Fadhli adds.

No love from Zahid’s brother over ‘no rally’ decision

10am: The younger brother of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Abdul Hakim, criticises his sibling for blocking party members from showing solidarity with Najib Abdul Razak.

He says such actions should not have occurred as the gathering was intended as a show of solidarity for the former Umno president.

“This should have been a matter of separating administration and solidarity. This is solidarity for the former Umno president,” says Abdul Hakim, who is now a lifetime PAS member.

“But for the sake of his relationship with the number one (Anwar Ibrahim), he was willing to stop Umno members from joining the solidarity gathering,” he adds.

‘No reply from home minister and five others’

9:56am: Najib Abdul Razak's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah submits that the home minister and five other respondents did not answer to the former premier's letters on whether the alleged royal addendum exists.

The counsel submits that this was the reason why Najib was forced to turn to the judicial review against the government over the alleged addendum.

"One does not play hide and seek with the applicant (Najib) as his life and liberty are at stake," Shafee says.

Shafee tells court about Pahang royal letter to Nizar

9.40am: Lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah submits that Najib Abdul Razak's son Mohd Nizar was contacted by the Pahang Royal House’s comptroller on Jan 4 that a letter would be issued to Nizar.

In his application on a related notice of motion, Shafee submits that a day later on Jan 5, Nizar received a letter that confirmed the existence of a royal addendum allowing Najib to serve house arrest.

The Pahang sultan was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in late January when the Pardons Board issued a piece of royal advice for Najib's 12-year jail term and RM210 million fine to be discounted to six years and RM50 million.

Shafee says the letter told Nizar that the then-Agong on Jan 29 last year had indeed issued a royal addendum for Najib and that the Pahang Sultan confirmed the existence of the addendum.

Court to hear amendment application

9.27am: Najib Abdul Razak's lead counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah says the legal team had applied to amend the notice of motion related to the former premier's appeal.

Court of Appeal bench chairperson Azizah Nawawi orders the amendment application to be heard now alongside the main appeal.

The amendment application seeks to amend an affidavit by Najib's son Mohd Nizar supporting the former prime minister's bid for leave to commence judicial review to implement an alleged royal addendum.

Takiyuddin holds watching brief for MPs

9.22am: Lawyer and PAS secretray-general Takiyuddin Hassan informs the court that he holds a watching brief for MPs.

He says they seek to follow proceedings as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told Dewan Rakyat last year that he could not comment on the alleged royal addendum as it was now before the court.

Proceedings begin

9.21am: Proceedings begin with three-person Court of Appeal bench chairperson Azizah Nawawi presiding.

Other panel members are judges Azhahari Kamal Ramli and Mohd Firuz Jaffril.

‘Anak jantan are with people, not in hotel rooms’

9.18am: Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh turns up at the Palace of Justice.

In a Facebook post, he says "anak jantan" (real men) are present together with the people.

"Not stay in hotel rooms to use the people," he says.

However, Akmal does not stay with other supporters outside the court and is spotted going into the court complex.

Akmal is seen in the courtroom and takes a seat in the public gallery to await proceedings to begin.

Several Umno leaders defy no-go orders

9.05am: Several Umno leaders are spotted defying the party's orders not to rally today.

Umno Veterans secretary Mustapha Yaakub states that members' attendance did not signify defiance against the party’s directive.

Instead, they come out of affection and to give moral support to Najib in his pursuit of justice.

“Our presence here doesn’t mean disobedience towards the party’s orders, but as support for Najib to seek justice,” he says.

Fatimah, an Umno member from Jerantut, says she’s joining the gathering out of respect for Najib.

“We came out of love for Najib, who has contributed so much. We are here in our personal capacity,” she says.

“There’s nothing wrong with us showing support for Najib to achieve justice,” she adds.

Also present today is Subang Umno chief Armand Azha Abu Hanifah and former Kedah menteri besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.

Anonymous donor sponsors food and water

9am: Several volunteers, including from PAS Unit Amal, distribute packs of bread and water bottles to Najib Abdul Razak’s supporters and media members at the rear entrance to the court complex.

It is unknown who the sponsor of the food items is.

One of the volunteers indicates that the sponsor wants to remain anonymous.

Najib is in the courtroom

8.58am: Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak is escorted into the courtroom by red-hat-wearing officers from the Kajang Prison.

The former finance minister is seen waiting for court proceedings to begin.

Spotted: Zahid’s daughter

8.50am: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's daughter Nurulhidayah was reportedly spotted at the Palace of Justice earlier today.

The Star reports that Nurulhidayah was, however, turned away by police.

She tells the news outlet that she was there in her personal capacity and that she was there by "coincidence".

"I had other matters to attend to here today," she is quoted as saying before leaving.

Zahid had warned that Umno members who attend the Najib rally today will do so at their own risk.

Prison convoy arrives in Putrajaya

8.30am: A convoy of Prisons Department and police vehicles enter the Palace of Justice court complex through its rear entrance.

The convoy is believed to be transporting former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak from the Kajang Prison to his case hearing.

The number of Najib supporters who come to show their solidarity is estimated to be about 100 and growing.

No way forward for three buses

8.20am: News portal SuaraTV reports that at least three buses of Najib Abdul Razak’s supporters from Langkawi and Pekan did not make it past police roadblocks and were prevented from entering Putrajaya.

A photo posted by the portal on Facebook shows around 60 people standing in front of the buses at a rest stop.

Nik Abduh denied entry

8.15am: PAS leader Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz tries to enter the court complex but gets denied by a police officer, who appears to hold a name list.

When the media approaches him, the senator declines to comment on whether he is here to give support for Najib Abdul Razak.

Asked whether other PAS leaders are coming, he says he doesn't know as they come in an individual capacity.

Rear entrance roadblock

8.10am: Police officers and court security personnel conduct a roadblock at the rear entrance to the Palace of Justice as Najib Abdul Razak supporters gather across the road.

It is believed that they are trying to catch a glimpse of the former prime minister, who is expected to be brought into the court via the rear entrance.

Some supporters are heard chanting “Hidup Bossku!” as media members pan their cameras to the crowd of about 20 people.

From Pahang with love

8.01am: Supporters of Najib Abdul Razak and groups of people believed to be PAS members are seen hanging out near the courts’ complex.

Earlier, a van dropped off a group of around 10 women in their 40s and 50s in front of the Palace of Justice. They say they are Najib’s supporters from Pahang.

Police Air Wing's drone unit is seen deploying a surveillance drone to monitor the area.

PAS rallies for Najib without Umno

8am: Today's rally was supposed to feature both Umno and PAS.

However, Umno decided not to proceed with the demonstration after an Istana Negara statement regarding the Pardons Board process last Friday.

Police have mobilised to hamper the PAS rally, setting up roadblocks around Putrajaya to control access.

Royal addendum

7.50am: The royal addendum at the centre of today's court hearing was allegedly issued by the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

The government has thus far refused to confirm whether the addendum exists, although Najib's son claimed that the Pahang ruler had informed him that it is real.

In the lead-up to the hearing, Istana Negara has relayed that bids for clemency, including Najib's house arrest bid, must go through the Pardons Board chaired by the sitting Agong.

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