KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic) has called on all parties to respect the High Court decision on Datuk Seri Najib Razak and not escalate the situation.
He said the public should respond with patience and wisdom.
“Even if there are those who choose not to express sympathy towards Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his family, it is inappropriate to aggravate the situation or heighten tensions in such a sensitive circumstance.
“The High Court’s decision must be respected. The government is firmly committed to upholding the rule of law and the separation of powers,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Anwar said all parties should respect the ruling made by the judge, including the legal avenues and channels that remain available to submit appeals, in addition to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in accordance with existing legal provisions.
“The judiciary must and will continue to remain independent from any external influence,” he said.
“It is based on this principle that I respect the decision made by the judge.”
On Monday, the High Court dismissed the judicial review application by Najib over the addendum order authorising the former prime minister to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
Justice Alice Loke had ruled that the addendum order was neither deliberated nor decided upon during the 61st Pardons Board Meeting held on Jan 29, 2024.
In her judgment, Justice Loke ruled that the addendum order did not comply with Article 42 of the Federal Constitution and was therefore invalid.
Following the decision, Najib will be required to serve the remainder of his sentence at Kajang Prison.
In this high-profile case, Najib has exhausted all avenues of appeal to overturn his conviction and sentence and has therefore applied for a royal pardon.
On April 1, 2024, Najib filed an application for leave for judicial review, claiming that a royal addendum order would have permitted him to serve prison time under house arrest.
On Feb 2, 2025, the Pardons Board announced that Najib’s original 12-year jail sentence and RM210mil fine had been reduced to six years’ imprisonment and a RM50mil fine.
According to the Board’s statement, Najib was scheduled to be released on Aug 23, 2028.
