Royal addendum: Umno ministers prepared to testify in court

Summary

• Umno ministers are prepared to testify in the High Court on Najib’s judicial review regarding the royal addendum on his house arrest.

• The party’s secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki expresses confidence in the court’s fairness and reaffirms Umno’s respect for the Malay rulers and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Federal ministers from Umno have expressed their readiness to testify in the High Court if required in the judicial review case on the royal addendum to a Pardons Board decision that would purportedly allow former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to serve his remaining jail sentence under house arrest.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the matter was among those discussed during the Umno supreme council meeting tonight.

“Umno ministers are prepared to cooperate with the High Court if required to provide testimony,” he said at a press conference at the party’s headquarters Kuala Lumpur.

He further stated that Umno is confident the High Court will act independently and fairly in assessing the validity of the addendum’s existence.

“Umno is grateful and respects the decision of the Court of Appeal, which granted Najib’s application to initiate judicial review proceedings to confirm the existence of the addendum.

“As the only party whose constitution explicitly mandates the defence of the institution of the Malay Rulers, Umno will always prioritise and uphold the highest respect for His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” Asyraf (above) said.

Umno wants full pardon for Najib

On Jan 6, the Court of Appeal granted Najib leave to initiate a judicial review at the High Court to compel the government to enforce the decree.

A letter from the Pahang palace was submitted to the court to confirm the existence of the supplementary order on putting Najib under house arrest.

The former prime minister is serving his sentence at Kajang prison after being found guilty of the RM42 million SRC International corruption case.

Meanwhile, Asyraf reiterated the party’s stance that it seeks the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s grace to grant a full pardon for Najib, in line with His Majesty’s powers under Articles 42(1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution.

PM advises youth to stop defending corrupt leaders

Pardons Board secretariat denies receiving royal addendum

'Baseless', Zaliha says on claims she hid Najib's house arrest addendum

AG may be avoiding embarrassing ex-Agong in addendum issue: Expert

COMMENT | Can king or Pardons Board insert addendum into pardon?

Royal addendum: What govt leaders are saying so far