Pardons Board Secretariat Denies Receiving Royal Addendum

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The Legal Affairs Division under the Prime Minister’s Department denied receiving the royal addendum ordering former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to serve the rest of his jail term under house arrest.
The division, which is the secretariat to the Pardons Board, attributed this to the board’s proceedings falling under the Official Secrets Act 1972.
“All relevant documents can only be accessed by members of the Pardons Board and individuals directly empowered by the said board.
“No other parties, regardless of rank or office, have access to these documents in line with principles of secrecy and integrity,” said the Legal Affairs Division in a statement.
Former prime minister Najib Abdul RazakIt added that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said is not a party to the Pardons Board’s proceedings in any matters related to pardons.
The Federal Territories Pardons Board consists of six members, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the federal territories minister, the attorney-general, and three others appointed by the Agong.
Earlier, former Umno minister Khairy Jamaluddin accused Azalina and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa of hiding the addendum.
On Monday (Jan 6), the Court of Appeal allowed Najib to seek a judicial review to enforce a decree by the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, ordering the former Umno president to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest.
The Pahang Palace has also confirmed the existence of the royal addendum following an affidavit filed by Najib’s son, Mohd Nizar, on Dec 5.
No records or files
Meanwhile, the Legal Affairs Division said that neither it nor the Prime Minister’s Department have any files or official records containing the addendum or additional documents.
It also did not receive any official instructions from Istana Negara, it added.
“The Legal Affairs Division and the Prime Minister’s Department assert that any statement on the position or role of the Pardons Board that can mislead the public is improper and could potentially invite appropriate action,” it said.
The addendum supplements the main Pardons Board’s decision which reduced Najib’s initial 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine to a six-year custodial term and RM50 million fine.
Najib’s sentence stems from his conviction for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering involving RM42 million from SRC International, a former subsidiary of the scandal-ridden 1MDB sovereign wealth fund. - Mkini

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