PUTRAJAYA: The royal addendum order related to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest was not hidden or concealed by the government, Fahmi Fadzil (pic) has maintained.
He said even as Communications Minister, he had never come across the said document.
“With regards to the document in question, to be honest, it was not hidden. As the Communications Minister, I have neither received nor seen or have been informed about the document,” he told a post-Cabinet press briefing here yesterday.
Fahmi, who is the government’s spokesman, said he believed this was because the matter involved the Pardons Board.
“We are aware that the Court of Appeal has decided to remit the case back to the High Court.
“So we need to seek the views and advice of the Attorney General on several matters to ensure that the case proceedings are not prejudiced,” he said.
The minister said the government would be guided by the processes taking place in the courts.
He said as stated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament recently, the government was bound by the principle of sub judice on the issue.
“We respect and adhere to that principle, and the court process has been carried out accordingly,” Fahmi pointed out.
On Monday, the Court of Appeal overturned the dismissal of Najib’s legal attempt to access the document that he says should allow him to serve the rest of his term at home.
The case will go back to the High Court to be heard by another judge.
Following this, the Opposition demanded answers from the government on whether there was a deliberate attempt to conceal the existence of the royal addendum order with its existence having been finally confirmed.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the Court of Appeal’s decision on Tuesday showed that certain parties intentionally tried to hide the addendum order.
He charged that defying, concealing or denying the royal decree was a huge act of treachery to the King and nation.
PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden also called for action against those responsible for allegedly concealing the addendum.
Najib’s son, Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin, also questioned why the government hid the royal addendum and did not implement the house arrest.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution had said that the Home Ministry and Prisons Department had not received any addendum order related to the former prime minister.
