THE Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed today Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s application for a judicial review to compel the government to produce a royal order allowing the former prime minister to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest.
Judge Datuk Amarjeet Singh Serjit Singh rejected Najib's suit after considering the supporting affidavits filed by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
Amarjeet said the affidavits were based on hearsay because they did not show direct knowledge of the existence of the supplementary order.
In April, Najib filed a judicial review to establish the existence of the addendum order dated January 29 issued by the former king.
In the application, Najib alleged that he received confirmation on February 12 about the issuance of the “supplementary order” which would allow him to serve a reduced prison sentence at home instead of the Kajang Prison.
Najib alleged the addendum order was not announced by the board on February 2 and that the government was in contempt for not executing the supplementary decree.
He wanted the court to compel the government to execute the supplementary decree to place him under house arrest.
On January 29, the Federal Territories Pardons Board, chaired by the king, halved Najib's 12-year jail sentence for power abuse and criminal breach of trust and reduced his RM210 million fine to RM50 million.
Najib is currently serving his sentence in Kajang prison.
His lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told the court they would appeal today’s decision. – July 3, 2024.
