KUALA LUMPUR — Denials that the government “hid” a purported royal addendum order for Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house imprisonment can lead to a constitutional crisis as the king’s order was not obeyed, PAS leader Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said.
The opposition party’s secretary-general pointed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s denial on hiding the addendum order in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, recently, where Anwar explained that the document was sent directly to the AG, and that neither he or nor the Pardons Board sighted it.
Takiyuddin questioned why Anwar had given this explanation after the Court of Appeal last week allowed leave for Najib’s judicial review over the addendum order, sending the case back to the high court which had initially dismissed it.
“(Anwar’s) statement was made after the Court of Appeal allowed Najib’s appeal.
“This shows that the government no longer has a choice but to acknowledge the existence of the order after almost a year of avoiding ratifying its existence,” Takiyuddin said in a statement.
“The truth is that the government has had so many opportunities and opportunities to clarifying this issue honestly, yet continued to choose not to answer.
“(Anwar’s) answer was not only misleading; it has the potential to trigger legal conflicts and a constitutional crisis,” Takiyuddin, who is Kota Bharu MP and a lawyer, added.
He also said the AG was at fault for remaining silent on the addendum order’s existence throughout’s Najb’s judicial review proceedings in both the high court and appellate court.
“This can be seen as hiding important information from the court…and also contradicts with Anwar’s explanation that the order was addressed only to the AG.”
Takiyuddin said with this, the AG could be held liable for obstructing the course of justice, for contempt of court, and to the offence of misconduct in public office, as well as perjury and fraudulent misrepresentation.
“Various civil actions can be taken against the AG and the government,” he added.
The whole episode, he also said, has cast doubt on Anwar’s eligibility as head of government.
On January 6, the Court of Appeal granted Najib permission to seek a review of the purported addendum, intensifying scrutiny over the issue. The matter is back in the high court for case management today under a different judge.
The former prime minister is currently serving a reduced prison sentence, from 12 years to six, for corruption in the SRC International case, in Kajang Prison. His fine was reduced from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Anwar and other government figures like Federal Territories (FT) Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who sits on the FT Pardons Board that reduced Najib’s fine and prison sentence, as well as Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, have all previously denied hiding the addendum order, saying the Pardons Board meeting on Jan 29, 2024 only discussed the fine and sentence reduction.
In Bukit Mertajam on Jan 11, Anwar said “what was said as the addendum letter was given to (the then) Attorney-General, not to me or other or other Pardons Board members”.
“When the King was replaced, (it was) handed over to the Istana Negara since it is the King that chairs (the board). That was the situation. It is not that we hid it (the addendum),”
Anwar had also said that the AG advised the King during the Pardons Board meeting “that the King has the absolute power in making any decisions that were made in the meeting, not outside of it.”
The prime minister added that he had not wanted to comment on the issue earlier due to the fact that it involved the royalty. – January 13, 2025