SHAH ALAM: Any decision regarding the alleged Addendum Order granting house arrest to the former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak must be made in the meeting of the Pardons Board.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he would not interfere in the matter, despite being criticised for doing nothing.
"This matter is under the purview of the Pardons Board and the King's decree. That's my answer, based on the discussions with the Attorney-General and information from the Malay rulers and the King
"We are not trying to reduce the decision made by the judge. Somehow, certain quarters are not pleased with (our stance).
"Our stance is clear, the decision must be made in the Pardons Board meeting and the final decision by the King must also be made in the Pardons Board meeting.
"Up until now, there has been no action by the government that offends the role and power of the Malay rulers," he said in his speech at the PKR Convention, held in conjunction with the party's 25th anniversary.
On Friday, Anwar affirmed that the government respected the independence of the Pardons Board chaired by the King and would not intervene in its decisions.
Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahamd Zahid Hamidi confirmed the existence of an alleged Addendum Order from the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong allowing Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
The Umno president claimed the impugned document was shown to him by former Selangor Umno treasurer Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz at his house near Country Heights on Jan 30.
On Jan 29, Najib, the former Pekan member of parliament applied to compel the government to produce the impugned document which he said was not revealed by the authorities.
He named the Home Minister, Prison Department commissioner general, Attorney-General (AG), Federal Territories Pardons Board, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Legal Affairs Division director-general, and the government as respondents.