KUALA LUMPUR – The Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister’s Department has confirmed that no additional documents related to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s pardon application are present in its files or official records.
In a statement issued today, BHEUU – acting as the secretariat for the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya – further clarified that it had not received any official notifications or directives from the Palace regarding the matter.
“Any statements that could mislead the public regarding the position or role of the Pardons Board are inappropriate and could potentially lead to necessary actions,” the statement read.
The division emphasised the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Pardons Board and ensuring that accurate information is shared with the public.
BHEUU also noted that the 61st meeting of the Pardons Board, held on January 29 2024, was chaired by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Furthermore, BHEUU clarified that, as the secretariat to the Pardons Board, it does not engage with the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, on any matters relating to the Pardons Board, except for communication with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as stipulated in the Federal Constitution.
“The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) is neither a member of the Pardons Board nor involved in any administrative or management matters related to the pardoning of any inmate,” the statement explained.
BHEUU also reiterated that proceedings and information concerning the Pardons Board are fully governed by the Official Secrets Act [Act 88], meaning that all related documents are accessible only to the Board members and individuals authorised directly by the Board.
“No other parties, regardless of position or rank, have access to these documents, in accordance with the principles of confidentiality and integrity,” the statement added.
The issue surrounding the alleged Royal Addendum first emerged last year, when Najib’s defence team argued that the Pardons Board had failed to fully execute the former King’s decree.
Recently, the matter gained renewed attention, with accusations directed at the government for allegedly “hiding” the supposed addendum, despite repeated clarifications by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
In response earlier this week, Saifuddin confirmed that neither he nor the Prisons Department had received any addendum or directive regarding the house arrest issue. He reiterated that the only documents from BHEUU, acting as the secretariat for the Pardons Board, were a summary of Najib’s legal proceedings and the official decree from the Agong.
On January 6, the Court of Appeal granted Najib permission to initiate a legal challenge to review the alleged addendum order issued by the former King, which he claims would allow him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
During the proceedings, Najib’s lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, presented a letter from the Pahang Sultanate Council confirming the existence of a royal addendum order permitting Najib to serve his remaining sentence under house arrest.
The letter, dated January 4, was addressed to Najib’s eldest son, Datuk Mohamad Nizar, by Datuk Ahmad Khirrizal Ab Rahman, the Comptroller of the Royal Household of the Sultan of Pahang.
Najib was originally sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine of RM210 million after being convicted in the SRC International case. However, following his petition for a royal pardon, his sentence was reduced to six years, and his fine was lowered to RM50 million. – January 10, 2025
