No Grounds to Keep Najib Detained Even for a Second – Lawyer

PETALING JAYA: The authorities have no grounds to continue detaining Datuk Seri Najib Razak at Kajang Prison, even for a second, following the statement issued by Istana Negara.

His lawyer, Muhammad Farhan Shafee, said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, through Istana Negara, had clarified that the Royal Pardon Order issued for his client was clear, explicit and unambiguous.

He said the order was also unrelated to any other cases involving Najib, and all its conditions, including the payment of a RM50 million fine, had been fulfilled.

“Therefore, there are absolutely no grounds for the relevant authorities to continue detaining Datuk Seri Najib (Razak) at Kajang Prison, even for a second.

“The authorities must immediately transfer him to his residence in Jalan Langgak Duta to serve his sentence under house arrest, as decreed by His Majesty,” he told Utusan Malaysia today.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the clarification issued.

“The pardon order is His Majesty’s decree under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution,” he said.

Earlier, Istana Negara issued a statement saying that any argument challenging the Royal Pardon Order granted to Najib, allowing him to serve his sentence under house arrest after paying the RM50 million fine, could amount to defying the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.

“The conditional pardon order is clear, explicit and unambiguous, and is not linked to any other cases involving him.

“There should be no confusion over its interpretation, nor should there be prolonged uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the decision approved by His Majesty,” the statement said.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA