PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has suggested that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, consider house arrest for Datuk Seri Najib Razak only after the conclusion of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial.
The Prime Minister stressed however that he would not undermine the King's authority and only offer his advice if requested.
"Now the decision is of course to reduce (the sentence) partly (is) the sole discretion of the King. Whether he should be given house arrest, our position is, at present, you go through the process and let the King decide.
"If the King asks for my advice, I will say, 'Your Majesty, go through the process'," he said during an interview with Bloomberg at the Qatar Economic Forum 2024 in Doha on Tuesday (May 14).
Pointing to the previous King's decision to reduce the former prime minister's sentence partially, Anwar said it was essential to follow proper due process.
He also urged the King to treat Najib's house arrest application just like any ordinary citizen.
Najib had filed an application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court seeking permission for judicial review of the royal addendum that Najib claims was granted along with his royal pardon, which would allow him to go under house arrest.
Following that, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi pledged an affidavit to support Najib's application.
