Former Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia, who has been in prison since August 23, 2022, for corruption offences, is seeking to have his sentence served under house arrest. His lawyers are claiming that there is an addendum order issued by Malaysia’s former king that allows for this, and they have produced an affidavit by a crucial witness to support this claim. A hearing on this matter took place on April 17, but it was closed to the public and press due to the sensitivity of the material disclosed in the affidavit.
Najib’s lawyers requested for the case to be heard in chambers at the start of the hearing, and this was granted by Justice Amarjeet Singh. However, he stated that his decision will be presented in open court. The affidavit dated April 9 was signed by Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and was publicly accessible via the court website. Despite this, Najib’s lawyer, Shafee Abdullah, mentioned that the court had ordered for the affidavit to be sealed, indicating that it cannot be used.
The affidavit has reportedly been discussed in Malaysian news outlets, naming Ahmad Zahid and delving into its contents. When contacted, the senior federal counsel representing the Attorney-General in the case was unsure about the existence of a sealing order, stating that it was an issue that needed to be checked with the court. A court interpreter from Wednesday’s hearing declined to disclose any confidential court matters, referring inquiries to counsel instead.
The High Court has fixed June 5 as the date for Najib to know whether he can proceed with his request to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. This decision comes after the closed-door hearing on April 17, where Najib’s lawyers argued for the existence of an addendum order by Malaysia’s former king that supports their client’s request. The sensitivity of the material in the affidavit led to the closed nature of the hearing, with the request for chambers hearing being agreed upon by both parties.
Najib Razak has been imprisoned since August 23, 2022, following his conviction for corruption offences. The production of the affidavit by a crucial witness is a crucial aspect of Najib’s bid to have his sentence served at home, indicating the importance of this document in his case. Despite the affidavit being publicly accessible at a certain point, Najib’s lawyer claimed that it had been sealed by the court and could not be used. The contents of the affidavit have garnered attention in Malaysian news outlets, with discussions surrounding its implications for Najib’s case.
The uncertainty surrounding the sealing of the affidavit and the decision-making process within the court system adds a layer of complexity to Najib’s bid for house arrest. The involvement of senior federal counsel and the court interpreter highlights the need for clarity in this matter, with further inquiries needed to determine the status of the affidavit. The decision to delay the ruling until June 5 indicates that there may be significant legal considerations at play in determining the outcome of Najib’s request. The closed-door nature of the hearing and the sensitivity of the material involved underscore the high stakes of this case for Najib and the Malaysian legal system.
