PUTRAJAYA — Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders have arrived at the Palace of Justice here to show solidarity with former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his appeal hearing over an addendum order for his house arrest.
At 8.49am, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan led a small group of PN politicians to the court complex. They walked a short distance as vehicles were not allowed near the complex which was fenced in by police barricades.
With Takiyuddin were Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samurai Mokhtar, who is also a PAS vice president, and Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, who is also the parliamentary opposition leader.
Also present were Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee and Pahang Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah.
Takiyuddin was seen entering the courthouse while other leaders stayed outside.
Also seen arriving separately were PAS central committee members Nik Mohamad Abdul Nik Abdul Aziz and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who is also Arau MP.
Earlier, Najib arrived at the courthouse in a police motorcade at 8.34am to shouts of “Bossku!” by a crowd of supporters.
The crowd welcoming Najib was about more than 100 people so far. A group of supporters gave out free buns and water to people, including to police officers on duty.
No one was see wearing Umno uniforms or the party logo as the party leadership had cancelled its solidarity rally after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree last week on the royal prerogative to grant prisoner pardons through the Pardons Board.
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said any party member who rallied in their own capacity against the party’s directive would have to “bear the consequences” of their own actions.
PAS, however, has decided to proceed with its solidarity rally, claiming it was to uphold the King’s power to decide on grant pardons, and to seek “justice” for Najib who has accused the government of withholding the addendum order on his house arrest.
Najib is currently serving a reduced jail sentenced for corruption in the SRC International Case.
His original sentence of 12 years was halved to six by the Federal Territory Pardons Board early last year.
However, the former prime minister and ex-Umno president alleges that there is an addendum order signed by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong that he serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
Najib has filed a judicial review for the government to confirm and implement the order, but had his bid dismissed by the high court.
Today, the Court of Appeal is hearing his appeal against this dismissal. – January 6, 2025