As Najib Razak takes legal aim at the former Attorney General over an alleged cover-up involving a Royal Addendum Order, the controversy is set to spark deeper debate at this Saturday’s Townhall Rakyat on law, justice, and constitutional rights.
KUALA LUMPUR, 23 May 2025 — Former Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak has initiated contempt of court proceedings against former Attorney General Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh — a legal development that will be a focal point of discussion at this weekend’s Townhall Rakyat.
Filed on 21 May, the application seeks the court’s leave to begin committal proceedings against the former AG for allegedly misleading the High Court regarding a Royal Addendum Order that instructed Najib’s sentence be served under house arrest. The order, dated 29 January 2024 and issued by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (also the Sultan of Pahang), had reportedly been validated by the Pahang Royal Council earlier this year.
The AGC, meanwhile, has defended Terrirudin, saying Najib’s contempt bid ‘premature and unfair’ as appeal on royal addendum is still pending.
Deliberate Obstruction of Justice
Najib’s lawyer, Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah, accused Tan Sri Ahmad of concealing this from the court despite knowing of its existence — an act Shafee described as a deliberate obstruction of justice and a breach of the government’s duty of candour.
According to the Townhall organiser, this escalating legal drama is expected to take centre stage during the 5th session of Townhall Rakyat, happening Saturday, 24 May at 3:00 PM, at Gateway Mall, Kuala Lumpur. Themed “Law and Human Rights,” the session will explore legal rights, the role of the judiciary, and public concerns surrounding recent legal controversies.
The panel features distinguished legal minds: Dato’ Seri Rajan Navaratnam, Dato’ Hasnal Rezua Merican, and newly announced guest Datuk Abu Bakar Isa Ramat, who is expected to offer insights into key legal documents that surfaced during the early stages of the 1MDB prosecution in 2019.
Addendum on House Arrest for Najib
Moderating the session is Tuan Haji Kamarudin Ahmad, a senior lawyer who has served as moderator in all previous townhall events by the said organiser. Also joining the panel is Ms Wong Siew Mun, a vocal representative of civil society from Pahang, who is expected to speak candidly about public discontent over perceived injustices involving the Royal Addendum and the treatment of the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree.
Organisers have encouraged the public to attend and raise their questions directly with the panel. The Townhall aims to empower citizens with a better understanding of their legal rights while providing a platform for critical discussion on issues affecting public trust in legal institutions.
There will be LIVE feeds from various media organisations and blogs, including newmalaysiaherald.com via https://www.youtube.com/@NewMalaysiaHerald.
For more information, email communicationsapmedia@gmail.com or contact.nmhmedia@gmail.com. – NMH
Datin Hasnah is the co-founder and CEO of New Malaysia Herald based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
With an extensive background in mass communication and journalism, she works on building up New Malaysia Herald and it’s partner sites. A tireless and passionate evangalist, she champions autism studies and support groups.
Datin Hasnah is also the Editor in Chief of New Malaysia Herald.
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