THE alleged addendum on house arrest in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s partial pardon led to a heated row in the Dewan Rakyat.
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) and Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru) were involved in a shouting match with other MPs also joining in.
Dewan Deputy Speaker Alice Lau had to quell the situation by switching off the microphones.
The incident was sparked when Takiyuddin raised a question over the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s powers of pardon under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution.
Takiyuddin, who is also the Perikatan chief whip, referred to the recent sworn affidavit by a “Deputy Prime Minister” that he was aware of the addendum on house arrest.
He asked if other Cabinet ministers, including the Prime Minister, were aware of the document.
Earlier, he said the previous King had exercised his powers in 2018 to grant a full pardon to an individual who was then allowed to contest in a by-election.
“Under the Constitution, what is provided for is that a person granted a pardon and set free is barred from contesting in elections for the next five years.
“But in this instance, a full pardon was granted, which is not provided for under the Constitution.
“The person was allowed to contest in a by-election,” he said when debating Budget 2025 at the policy stage.
Rayer then interjected, saying Takiyuddin was not allowed to question the King’s decisions during debates under Standing Order 38(8).
A shouting match ensued between the two lawyers.
“You are a lawyer and you should know. Don’t you dare question the King,” Rayer said.
Takiyuddin ignored Rayer and continued, saying he was not referring to the King but circumstances related to the purported document.
When other MPs joined in, Lau had to step in. After switching off the microphones, she said: “I do not allow YB Kota Baru to raise any attributes or decisions of the King.”
On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal set Dec 5 to hear Najib’s appeal over the dismissal of his leave application for a judicial review regarding the alleged addendum on house arrest.
The 71-year-old former prime minister’s application was rejected by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 3 this year, which found that the four affidavits supporting his claim, including from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, were hearsay.
Najib has been in Kajang Prison since Aug 23, 2022, after being convicted of embezzling RM42mil in funds belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.
Following his conviction, he filed a petition for a royal pardon, which resulted in a reduction of his jail sentence from 12 years to six years and his fine from RM210mil to RM50mil.
