KUALA LUMPUR, January 22 – Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil today refuted claims that Putrajaya suppressed a purported royal order allowing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. Speaking at a press briefing, Fahmi said neither he nor the government had received any document related to such an order.
This clarification follows a confirmation by the former king’s palace on January 4 regarding the existence of an “addendum order” accompanying Najib’s pardon, which allegedly grants house arrest privileges. Najib’s legal team argues the government has ignored the document. The Court of Appeal recently reinstated Najib’s bid to access the alleged order, remitting the case to the High Court.
Fahmi emphasized that the government would respect the judicial process and adhere to sub judice principles, leaving the matter to the courts. Najib, serving a reduced sentence following a pardon by former King Al-Sultan Abdullah, maintains his innocence in his 1MDB-related conviction. His legal team continues to pursue the claim that the royal order permits him to serve his term at home, sparking ongoing legal and public scrutiny.
