PM Anwar hits back at ‘hidden’ addendum claims in Najib house arrest case

PM Anwar hits back at ‘hidden’ addendum claims in Najib house arrest case




Saturday, 11 Jan 2025 6:30 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has rejected claims that the government concealed a so-called ‘royal addendum’ purportedly allowing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.

According to Buletin TV3, Anwar said today that he was responsible for presenting Najib's appeal to the Pardons Board, along with the supporting reasons for the pardon.


He clarified that the decision was made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong during a Pardons Board meeting and not outside it.

"In the meetings I attended, the issue of house arrest was not raised. The same applies to the meeting with Dr Zaliha Mustafa (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department — Federal Territories)," he was quoted as saying, after launching a new block at KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital in Bukit Mertajam, Penang today.


Anwar also said that the addendum in question was not sent to him or to any members of the Pardons Board or the Attorney General's Chambers.


"We didn’t hide it; that’s the situation," he added.

He further explained that Najib still has the option to appeal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.

The prime minister also criticised the Opposition for using the addendum issue for political gain.

He pointed out that while PAS had heavily criticised Najib in the past, they were now supporting him for purely political reasons.

“Where are the principles? Where is Islam? Where is the Malay spirit?” he was quoted as saying.

Anwar went on to say that Najib’s detention, prosecution, and imprisonment took place under the administrations of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, respectively, not under his leadership.

Earlier, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, acting as the Secretariat to the Pardons Board, clarified that it had not received any official communication from the Palace regarding the addendum.

It further stated that any misleading public statements regarding the role of the Pardons Board were inappropriate and could lead to legal action.

The division emphasised the importance of preserving the integrity of the Pardons Board and ensuring that accurate information is conveyed to the public.