KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of an addendum allowing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest was not raised during the Pardons Board meeting on Dec 8, 2023.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the matter was not included in the meeting's agenda.
"The issue of the addendum was not on the agenda. In the meeting that I attended, the issue of the addendum's contents was not raised.
"On Jan 29, 2024, the (Pardons Board) meeting was attended by the minister in charge, who is the Federal Territories minister, and I did not attend."
Anwar said this during Prime Minister's Question Time, in response to a question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru).
Takiyuddin asked for the government's explanation of the royal addendum's existence related to the Federal Territories Pardon Board's 61st meeting on Jan 29, 2024, involving Najib's pardon application.
Anwar, who is also Tambun member of parliament, said that the case would be decided by the Court of Appeal on Jan 6 next year. He said, therefore, it was "unreasonable" to discuss the matter before the court decision.
"Therefore, as stated in the attorney-general's statement, we will not discuss it to respect and trust the legal institutions."
In a supplementary question, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) then asked why the government did not immediately allow the royal amendment when it was issued in January.
In response, Anwar said this was because a new Yang di-Pertuan Agong was installed and any decision after the installation must be referred to the current king.
"So, wait for Jan 6. What's with the impatience? I don't want to comment if it's true or not, whether it exists or not.
"Let the courts decide, and once they do, we will reveal everything (on what transpired) from the beginning.
"But you have to remember, that this can only be done with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and once it is excluded from the Official Secrets Act," he added.