'Critical witness' to support Najib's application related to house arrest, court told

In the High Court, it was revealed that a crucial witness will be submitting an affidavit in support of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s application for leave to start judicial review regarding an addendum order he claimed came from the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. This addendum order would allegedly allow him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest. Najib’s lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, informed Justice Amarjeet Singh of this development during the hearing for the leave application.

During the court proceedings, Muhammad Shafee mentioned that the witness is currently in Mecca for the final 10 days of Ramadan. He requested a short adjournment until after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, as the critical witness has not signed the affidavit yet due to being out of the country. The adjournment was set for April 17, with written submissions to be filed by April 15.

Senior Federal Counsel Ahmad Hanir Hambaly representing the respondents did not object to the adjournment. An application by lawyer Abhilaash Subramaniam to appear as a watching brief for the Bar Council was dismissed by Justice Amarjeet. The court ordered written submissions to be filed by April 15.

When speaking to the press after the hearing, Muhammad Shafee did not disclose the identity of the crucial witness. Najib had filed the application for leave for judicial review through his law firm, Messrs Shafee & Co, on April 1. He claimed that there was an addendum order by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the royal pardon granted to him on Jan 29, allowing him to serve his prison sentence under house arrest.

In the notice of application, Najib named various officials and entities as respondents in the case. He sought a mandamus order for the respondents to clarify the existence of the addendum order dated Jan 29. If the addendum order exists, Najib requested for them to execute the royal order and transfer him from Kajang Prison to his residence in Kuala Lumpur for house arrest. He also requested a copy of the royal decree and addendum order, both dated Jan 29.

Najib is also seeking costs and other relief as deemed fit by the court. The case has garnered attention and speculation regarding the details of the alleged addendum order and the possibility of Najib serving his sentence at home.