Sultan Abdullah urges end to addendum debates amid legal process

Summary

• Pahang ruler Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah decrees an end to public debate on the royal addendum, stating that it is under legal jurisdiction.

• He also urges all to avoid creating confusion or unnecessary debates.

• Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil says all parties should heed Sultan Abdullah’s call.

Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah urged all parties to cease discussions on the royal addendum, stressing that the matter is under legal process and should be respected.

“Regarding the addendum decree, this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the responsible and trustworthy parties.

“Therefore, all parties must respect the processes and laws that have been established. Avoid creating confusion or unnecessary debates.

“I urge everyone to uphold values of honesty, trust, mutual respect, and openness in resolving any issues,” he stated during the Himpunan Pahang Bermunajat Raja Berdaulat gathering at the Sultan Ahmad 1 State Mosque yesterday.

The royal addendum, issued on Jan 29, 2023, before Sultan Abdullah ended his term as Yang di-Pertuan Agong, supposedly commutes Najib Abdul Razak’s prison sentence to house arrest.

This was in addition to the Pardons Board’s decision, which reduced the former prime minister’s 12-year sentence and RM210 million fine to six years and RM50 million.

Najib, convicted in the SRC International case, won a Court of Appeal ruling in January allowing his judicial review to proceed, aiming to compel the government to enforce the addendum.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has since applied for a gag order on media coverage, with hearings set for March 24 (appeal leave) and April 28 (gag order request).

Separately, government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said the cabinet thanked the Pahang sultan and urged all parties to respect the decree.

“The prime minister records his thanks to the Pahang sultan. As we are all aware, His Majesty has decreed that the royal addendum issue is now under legal processes that should be respected. The government thanks His Majesty for his decree.

“God willing that in terms of implementation and related matters, the government will push on,” he said at his weekly post-cabinet meeting press conference in Putrajaya today.

‘Seek common ground’

Meanwhile, Sultan Abdullah called for mutual respect and a positive mindset to strengthen unity in society.

According to Bernama, His Royal Highness urged the people not to let differences in opinions and minor interests divide society.

“Do not allow differences to be a cause of division. Instead, respect one another and seek common ground for mutual well-being.

“At the same time, I wish to remind everyone to always think positively. Let us not be too quick to judge others or any situation with negativity.”

Also gracing the event was the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, with Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and other state government leaders also present.

Sultan Abdullah also reminded the government to be attentive and caring towards the people, while the opposition should play a constructive role by offering good suggestions instead of creating division.

“All parties – the government, the opposition, and the people – must abandon the habit of spreading slander, sowing hatred, and disseminating false information, as these will weaken unity and erode moral values in society,” the sultan said.

Court sets March 24 to hear AGC's appeal over Najib's addendum

Sub judice rule shielded Najib from 1MDB, now deflects addendum queries

PM's 'war on graft' just theatrics: Ex-MACC chief

Latheefa dares Anwar to free Najib if ex-PM victimised