Datuk Seri Najib Razak continues to remain the focal point in Malaysian politics despite being behind bars.
This comes after the former prime minister successfully obtained leave from the Court of Appeal on Jan 7 to begin judicial review proceedings in the High Court to compel the government to execute a supplementary decree issued by the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, allowing him to serve his remaining prison sentence under house arrest.
In the past week, much has been said about the royal addendum. This includes the leak of the purported minutes of the Federal Territories Pardons Board meeting on Jan 29, 2023, to allegations that the royal addendum had been ‘hidden’.
Such allegations may have also prompted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to break his silence, on Jan 11. Anwar revealed that the addendum was sent directly to then Attorney-General Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh on Jan 29, 2024, and not to him, or members of the Federal Territories Pardons Board. Anwar also denied that the government had ‘hidden’ the document.
Talks have also been rife that Najib’s days at Kajang Prison are numbered, since who would dare challenge in court, a proclamation made by a king?
Former Malaysian Bar president Salim Bashir Bhaskaran told Twentytwo13 recently that if there was to be a challenge (on the pardon), the court must make a judicial pronouncement on the matter. Any challenge must also be raised within the framework of the Constitution.
Simply put, this means the proper forum to raise any objections or issues related to the royal addendum, is in a court of law – in this case, the High Court. Banter on social media, issuing out-of-court statements, or holding press conferences to challenge or question the royal addendum just will not do.
The fact that Najib remains a talking point today, despite his incarceration, is something many had not envisioned or even imagined. Not when he became the first Malaysian prime minister to be convicted in a court of law and to be sent to jail.
Najib’s detractors celebrated after the former prime minister was sent to Kajang Prison on Aug 23, 2022 to begin his 12-year jail term for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
Yet, despite all odds, the stars seem to be in alignment for Najib.
His fate began to take a turn last year after he was granted a pardon which saw him receiving a 50 per cent reduction in his jail sentence. The pardon also meant Najib would be released on Aug 23, 2028 instead of 2034, and will have to pay a fine of RM50 million instead of RM210 million.
The latest development concerning the royal addendum on the house arrest (if granted) could just be the boost Najib, Umno, and their supporters need, to stay relevant. It could be an important factor in shaking up Malaysia’s political landscape.
Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk said much of the noise on the royal addendum and Najib has, to date, been created by politicians.
He said politicians, including those from DAP and PKR, appear to be in a quandary as they had campaigned against Najib and Umno during the 14th and 15th general elections, specifically zeroing in on Najib’s involvement in the SRC International case, and 1MDB.
“But since they (DAP and PKR) have made a pact to be part of the current unity government, they have to live with it,” said Azeem, who is the director of the Centre for Policy Research at Universiti Sains Malaysia.
He said the situation involving the royal addendum and Najib has also created a power play between Umno and Pas and the Malay community.
“Both parties are trying to use the issue to garner support from the Malay community, especially in the rural areas,” he said.
“What is important right now is how the public feels on this issue.
“Are they for Najib being granted house arrest, or do they feel otherwise? What is crucial is how the matter is being perceived in the court of public opinion, especially from a moral standpoint,” said Azeem.
While Najib’s fate will soon be determined by the High Court, his influence in the Malaysian political scene appears not to have diminished and will continue to dominate in the run-up to GE16.
From the corridors of power to a prison cell, what is certain is that Najib will continue to hog the limelight in Malaysian politics, whether the general public likes it or not.