Don’t defy royal order, Najib’s lawyers urge AGC

The Attorney-General's Chambers had raised 'complex legal questions' over the discharge order issued by the High Court yesterday. In response, Najib Razak's legal team urged the AGC to withdraw its proposal to defer his house arrest and called for the prisons department to immediately transfer Najib to his residence. Istana Negara, the Royal Palace, had declared that any arguments challenging the conditional pardon order would be seen as defying the king's command, making the AGC's statement an act of "clear defiance".

As per the statement, Najib remains in Kajang prison and no effect has been given to the King's command. The prisons commissioner was urged to transfer Najib to his residence and the AGC was urged to withdraw its temporary suspension of house arrest. The statement stated that the King's order must be carried out immediately. Yesterday, the AGC had sought a delay in Najib's house arrest due to 'complex legal questions' over the discharge order issued by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, relating to jail sentences in two court cases involving Najib.

However, Istana Negara had earlier today claimed that the pardon order was clear and unrelated to any other cases, demanding no delays in implementing the order. The AGC later clarified that the issues raised yesterday were not about the validity or authority of the conditional pardon order, but concerned the legal effect of the High Court's discharge order.

Najib's lawyers responded that it was not for any court, "much less the attorney-general", to reconsider the King's exercise of the pardon power.