In a recent development that has captured the nation’s attention, the silence of former Attorney General Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh and his successor, Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, regarding the purported house arrest addendum for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, has become a focal point of public and legal scrutiny.
The Controversial House Arrest Addendum
The controversy centers around an alleged addendum to Najib Razak’s prison sentence, which his counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, claims was issued by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. This addendum purportedly allows Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest rather than in prison. Shafee asserts that a letter containing this addendum was sent to Ahmad Terrirudin on January 29, 2024.
Despite these claims, both Ahmad Terrirudin and Dusuki Mokhtar have remained tight-lipped on the matter. When approached by the media, Ahmad Terrirudin, now a Federal Court judge, chose not to comment, while Dusuki Mokhtar simply replied, “No comment”.
Seven Letters Sent
At a media conference in the KL High Court on behalf of his client today, the prominent lawyer claimed that he sent at least seven letters to various individuals and institutions to confirm the existence of an addendum related to former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s sentence. The letters were intended to verify the addendum that allegedly allows Najib to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest.
Shafee stated that none of the recipients responded to his letters or acknowledged their receipt. He emphasized that if no such addendum existed, there would be no harm in replying to his letters to clarify the matter. This development comes as Najib seeks to enforce a royal decree that would permit him to serve his sentence under house arrest rather than in prison.
He even compared the ongoing judicial proceedings concerning Najib’s royal addendum hearing to Nazi-era governance, criticising the presiding judge for making an error.
Legal Proceedings and Public Reactions
Najib Razak, who is currently serving a reduced sentence of six years and a fine of RM50 million for his alleged involvement in the SRC International Sdn Bhd scandal, has been pushing for the enforcement of this addendum. His legal team has filed for a judicial review to have the addendum fully produced and enforced. However, their efforts have been met with significant legal and bureaucratic hurdles.
The Court of Appeal recently allowed Najib’s appeal by a majority decision, ordering the case to be reverted to the High Court for further consideration. This decision has sparked a mix of reactions from the public and legal experts alike. Many are questioning the transparency and accountability of the legal process, especially given the silence from key figures who are expected to provide clarity on the matter.
The Role of the Attorney General’s Chambers
The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has been notably silent on the issue, which has only fueled further speculation and concern. The lack of communication from the AGC has been described as “disturbing” by Court of Appeal judge Datuk Seri Mohd Firuz Jaffri, who questioned the absence of any letter from the AGC disputing the addendum’s existence.
This silence is particularly significant given the AGC’s role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served. The public’s confidence in the legal system is at stake, and the continued silence from the AGC only serves to undermine this confidence.
The public and legal experts alike are closely watching the developments in this case, as it could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future. The outcome of Najib’s appeal and the confirmation of the royal addendum could significantly impact his legal standing and potential release from prison. – 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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