KUALA LUMPUR — Opposition chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan wants the government to clarify conflicting information on the ministry responsible for the Federal Territory Pardons Board, and by extension, the alleged royal addendum order on house arrest for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Takiyuddin (Kota Besar-PN) said based on Hansard records, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had told the Dewan Rakyat on Nov 6 that the Federal Territories Ministry is responsible as the secretariat to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
However, Takiyuddin also highlighted that the Feb 2 press statement announcing Najib’s reduced jail sentence and fine was issued by the Legal Affairs Division in the Prime Minister’s Department.
“She (Azalina) misled the Dewan Rakyat which is possibly contemptuous.
“The standing orders say we can refer this to the Rights and Privileges Committee, but I don’t intend to do that.
“I just want an explanation from the law minister. Is the secretariat responsible for the pardons board under her department, or the Federal Territories Ministry?” Takiyuddin said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Responding to Takiyuddin, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul told the PAS lawmaker to submit a motion on the matter.
Last week, during her winding-up speech for the Supply Bill 2025, Azalina was asked by Takiyuddin regarding the existence of an addendum order in the royal pardon granted to Najib, who is serving jail time for corruption in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case.
The Federal Territory Pardons Board had halved his prison sentence from 12 to six years, and reduced his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
However, Najib contends that there is an addendum order that allegedly recommends he serve the remainder of his reduced sentence under house arrest.
Azalina had responded by saying that she does not interfere in the affairs of the Attorney-General who sits as a member of the pardons board.
To date, the government has neither confirmed not denied the existence of the addendum order.
Najib is currently taking up the matter in court through a judicial review. On Dec 5, the Court of Appeal is to hear his appeal against the high court’s dismissal of his legal challenge. – November 11, 2024