Cabinet to discuss PM's views on Najib's house arrest after trip, says Fahmi

PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet may discuss the Prime Minister’s statement on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest order after his overseas trips, says Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the issue was not raised during this week's meeting.

ALSO READ: Anwar suggests for King to decide on Najib's house arrest bid after 1MDB trial

“We did not discuss it today, but perhaps when the Prime Minister returns next week,” said Fahmi, who is also the government’s spokesman, on Wednesday (May 15).

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was quoted as saying that the house arrest order for the former prime minister should only be contemplated by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, once the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case has concluded.

In an interview with Bloomberg at the 2024 Doha Economic Forum, the Prime Minister said he would only propose such a measure if His Majesty specifically asked for his opinion.

ALSO READ: Najib wants house arrest, claims former King had ordered it

"If the King seeks my advice, I would recommend, 'Your Highness, let the legal process unfold,'" he said during a special session titled 'In Conversation With the Prime Minister of Malaysia', which was moderated by Bloomberg Television's Southeast Asia Chief Correspondent Haslinda Amin.

Anwar also said all parties must concentrate on the ongoing proceedings of the 1MDB case rather than diverting attention to the recent discussions surrounding Najib's potential house arrest.

"In the end, it's the prerogative of His Majesty to decide. As Prime Minister, I will uphold the authority of the King," he said.

On April 1, Najib, 70, filed an application in the Kuala Lumpur High Court seeking leave for judicial review to challenge the validity of the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Addendum Decree.

Subsequently, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi submitted an affidavit as a 'critical witness', expressing his support for Najib's application for judicial review.

In the sixth paragraph of Ahmad Zahid's affidavit sworn on April 9, Ahmad Zahid claimed Tengku Zafrul had allegedly shown him (Ahmad Zahid) a copy of the addendum order on his (Tengku Zafrul's) phone, which he photographed or scanned from an original copy shown to him by the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The High Court later dismissed an application by Tengku Zafrul, who was seeking to file his affidavit to correct "factual inaccuracies" in Najib's application for leave to initiate judicial review.