Thursday, April 18, 2024

Don’t be defensive, come clean on Najib’s house arrest order, Puad tells Putrajaya






Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi (pic) wants Putrajaya to clear the air over the house arrest order claimed by Datuk Seri Najib Razak. – DrPuad Zarkashi Facebook pic, April 18, 2024


Don’t be defensive, come clean on Najib’s house arrest order, Puad tells Putrajaya

Dallying on issue will only lead to criticism of govt, says Umno Supreme Council member


Juliana Johar
18 April, 2024
7:13 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR – There is no need for the government to be defensive over the royal addendum order claimed by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for his house arrest, said Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

Puad told Scoop that Putrajaya should clear the air and see it through, judging from some of the public sentiment on the matter.

“I believe the addendum order issued by (then) Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah exists and the government must carry it out quickly.

“The order is true because (Umno president) Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is deputy prime minister, even submitted an affidavit. The attorney-general did not issue a denial in the two months (the order was supposedly issued).

“Even (Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz) did not deny it. Instead of dragging on the issue, which opens up criticism against the government, and ignoring a royal decree, just allow the house arrest to take place.”

Meanwhile, Umno Veterans Club secretary Datuk Mustapha Yaakub echoed Puad, saying the government should explain the royal order to the public to avoid confusion and prejudice, especially among Najib supporters.

“Among those on the Pardons Board are Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, and law and institutional reforms minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. This means the two ministers know the real story,” he said in a statement.

Terengganu Umno chief Datuk Rozi Mamat, in a statement, called for calm and acceptance of the Agong’s discretionary powers, as well as for the government to get it done.

“I hope the authorities will carry out the royal order so as not to prolong the issue. Zahid has also proven to be consistent in fighting for Najib.”

In his affidavit, Zahid affirmed the existence of the addendum order, which he said was shown to him by fellow cabinet member Tengku Zafrul.

The affidavit was filed at the high court on April 9, to affirm the existence of the addendum order, which was dated February 29 – the same date the Federal Territories Pardons Board met and decided to halve Najib’s prison sentence from 12 to six years, and reduce his RM210-million fine to RM50 million.

Najib is seeking to have the government and six other respondents confirm the addendum order exists – and if so, to execute the order, provide original copies of it and discuss any necessary reliefs the court deems fit.

Tengku Zafrul, however, has said he would be filing his own affidavit in response to Zahid’s to correct “factual errors”. The Attorney-General’s Chambers has also said it will raise the matter in court. – April 18, 2024


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