Tiada keperluan AG diarah menghadap Agong, kata Asyraf

Umno Deputy President Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has stated there is no need for a state lawyer to approach the Yang di-Pertuan Agong regarding the issue of Najib Razak's house arrest without trial. The Constitution grants the Agong the power to pardon, which is carried out through the pardon agency, including the power to reduce or lessen sentences.

Once the Agong has ruled on the matter through the proper process, the decision cannot be contested. Therefore, there is no need for a state lawyer to approach the Agong for clarification, according to Asyraf. Earlier, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim requested State Lawyer Dusuki to approach the Agong to explain the issue surrounding the home confinement of Najib.

Anwar emphasized that the government acknowledges the Agong's decree and is prepared to fulfill its responsibility to carry out the decision. Yesterday, Umno clarified a RM50 million fine imposed on Najib after collecting donations through a fund-raising campaign. The High Court then issued an order for his home confinement to be suspended pending payment, which was recorded, but the State Lawyer's Office issued a statement delaying the home confinement procedure temporarily to investigate the legal issues related to the pardon and its impact on the court order.

Today, Istana Negara clarified that any attempt to challenge the conditional pardon would allow Najib to serve the remaining prison term under house arrest would be unlawful. The conditional pardon is clear, explicit, and free of ambiguity, and is not related to any other matters involving Najib. The palace also stated that the conditional pardon power is a prerogative of the king under Article 42 of the Constitution, and must be respected in accordance with the king's regal status and the rule of law.

The palace stated that all conditions of the conditional pardon have been met and there should be no misunderstanding or long-standing doubts about its implementation. Today, the AGC explained that the request to delay Najib's house arrest was not an attempt to contest the conditional pardon granted by the Agong. The AGC stated that legal issues regarding the scope and impact of the release order were raised, particularly whether the release was ordered solely based on the payment of the fine or if it would allow the remaining prison sentence under house arrest to continue.

The AGC said it has a direct connection to the 1MDB Mahkamah Tinggi ruling that established the prison sentence in the related case, which must begin after the prison sentence in the SRC International case is completed.