KUALA LUMPUR – Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (Senator-PH) has firmly rejected the opposition’s repeated attempts to question Putrajaya over the alleged existence of an addendum order in the royal pardon granted to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Saifuddin highlighted that the Kuala Lumpur High Court had already ruled against Najib’s claim, dismissing it as hearsay in rejecting his bid for a judicial review regarding a supposed supplementary order that would allow house arrest during his prison sentence.
“The court deemed that the addendum is a matter of hearsay. (Since) a court decision has clearly been made, we should not bring up the issue anymore.
“Whether or not the (alleged addendum order) exists, the court has already determined that it is hearsay. I don’t want to repeat nor prolong (the issue) anymore,” Saifuddin said in Parliament today in response to queries from PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Bharu-PN).
The opposition lawmaker had pressed Saifuddin to confirm the existence of the addendum while the minister was delivering his winding-up speech on the Supply Bill 2025 at the policy stage.
Takiyuddin reiterated his question after Law and Institutional Reforms Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (Pengerang-BN) had declined to entertain his queries the previous day.
The PAS leader further argued that the government should have sought clarification from the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong regarding the alleged supplementary order.
In dismissing the former law minister’s remark, Saifuddin replied: “That is just your opinion. The government’s view is that if there are disputes, the court should be the one that makes a decision. Let the court develop the law.
“The court has already deemed (the matter) hearsay. Do you understand what hearsay is? Just consider the issue closed,” he added.
Najib has been serving his sentence in Kajang Prison since August 23, 2022, after being found guilty of misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Earlier this year, the Pardons Board reduced his prison sentence from 12 years to six, and the fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
In its ruling against Najib’s attempt to initiate a judicial review over the alleged supplementary order, Justice Amarjeet Singh explained that four affidavits presented by Najib failed to substantiate the material facts outlined in his application.
Two of the affidavits were sworn by Najib himself, while Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Bagan Datuk-BN) and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail each affirmed one affidavit. – November 7, 2024