Royal addendum: Najib disappointed over another delay, says lawyer

Summary

• Najib Abdul Razak is disappointed that the Federal Court allowed a challenge by the attorney-general, which purportedly delays his attempt to prove the existence of a royal addendum.

• His lawyers insist the addendum, for him to serve the rest of his jail term under house arrest, exists, but claim the government is deliberately obstructing its recognition.

Najib Abdul Razak is disappointed with today’s Federal Court decision granting the attorney-general (AG)’s leave application to challenge the former prime minister’s attempt to prove the existence of a royal addendum regarding his jail sentence.

According to lawyer Shafee Abdullah, Najib was upset as it would further delay his opportunity to get the case heard in court.

“He was disappointed because this would further delay the court process. Because it has been a year and four months now.

“We already know clearly that the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is the current Pahang sultan, has already confirmed the existence of an addendum that allows Najib to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest,” Shafee said.

He was speaking during a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur High Court this afternoon.

The head of Najib’s defence team was asked about Najib’s response to the Federal Court decision this morning, which saw a panel of three judges led by Chief Judge of Malaya, Hasnah Hashim, who made a unanimous decision to allow the AG’s application.

The court also set a two-day session to hear the AG’s case beginning July 1.

On Jan 6, the Court of Appeal granted leave for Najib to commence a judicial review to compel the home minister and the government to enforce the alleged supplementary decree by the previous Agong.

The addendum, signed by Pahang ruler Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, supposedly commutes Najib’s prison sentence to be served under house arrest.

Najib’s legal team claimed that the Pahang palace affirmed the existence of the addendum in a letter produced in court.

However, government lawyers argued that the addendum was not discussed during the last Pardons Board meeting chaired by Sultan Abdullah, which only decided to reduce Najib’s sentence to six years in prison and an RM50 million fine.

‘Why hide addendum?’

Meanwhile, Shafee said he and Najib could not understand why the government continues to go back and forth about the supplementary royal order.

“We know that the prime minister had in two of his speeches admitted the existence of the royal addendum, but said that the matter is not in his hands.

“So it is clear that this addendum exists, so my client and I are puzzled why is this back and forth. The issue is whether the addendum exists or not; whether it is valid is another issue.

“Why don’t you want the addendum to go to trial? Why do you want to hide it? This is why we are taking legal action against those involved,” he said.

On Jan 29 last year, the Pardons Board’s royal advice led to a decree to discount Najib’s initial 12-year jail term and RM210 million fine over an RM42 million corruption case linked to SRC International.

However, Najib claimed there was a supplementary royal decree allowing him to be placed under house arrest instead of serving time at Kajang Prison.

Najib’s judicial review is currently pending before the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

The High Court has also set April 28 to hear the AG’s application for a gag order to prevent media reporting and potentially prejudicial public discourse over Najib’s judicial review.

Najib's judicial review on house arrest addendum postponed

AG's questions on Najib's addendum of public importance - apex court

AG gets leave to appeal over Najib's royal addendum

Apex court to decide on AG's leave to appeal Najib's addendum