KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of the alleged addendum on house arrest linked to Datuk Seri Najib Razak resulted in a heated exchange in the Dewan Rakyat Thursday (Oct 24).
The incident was sparked when Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru) raised the issue over the powers of pardon conferred to the King under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution.
He said that this power was exercised by the previous King in 2018 to grant a full pardon to a certain individual who was then allowed to contest in a by-election.
"Under the Constitution, what is provided is for a person to be granted a pardon and set free and the person is barred from contesting in the election for the next five years.
"But, in this instance, a full pardon was granted which is not provided for under the Constitution.
"And the person was allowed to contest in a by-election," he said when debating Budget 2025 at the policy stage in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday. (Oct 24).
He questioned if there were further details accompanying the King's pardon allowing for such.
Takiyuddin, who is also Perikatan chief whip, then referred to the recent sworn affidavit by a "Deputy Prime Minister" that he was aware of the addendum with regard to a request for a royal pardon involving a certain leader.
Takiyuddin asked if other Cabinet ministers including the Prime Minister were aware of the document.
However, RSN Rayer (PH-Jeletong) interjected, saying that Takiyuddin is not allowed to refer to the King's attributes or decisions during debates as stated under Standing Order 38(8).
A shouting match ensued between the two lawmakers who are lawyers by profession.
"You are a lawyer and you should know. Don't you dare question the King," Rayer said.
Takiyuddin ignored Rayer's interjection and kept bringing up the addendum, saying that he was not referring to the King but circumstances related to the purported document.
Several other MPs joined in the shouting match.
Deputy Speaker Alice Lau quelled the situation by switching off the microphones to prevent a further war of words from both sides.
"I do not allow YB Kota Baru from raising any attributes or decisions of the King," she then said, noting that Takiyuddin had run out of time before inviting William Leong (PH-Selayang) to begin his debate.
On Tuesday (Oct 22), the Court of Appeal set Dec 5 to hear Najib's appeal over the dismissal of his leave application for a judicial review regarding an alleged addendum on house arrest.
The 71-year-old former prime minister's application was rejected by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 3, 2024, which found that the four affidavits supporting his claim, including those from Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and vice-president Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, were hearsay.
Najib has been incarcerated in Kajang Prison since Aug 23, 2022, after being convicted of embezzling RM42mil in funds belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.
Following his conviction, he filed a petition for a royal pardon on Sept 2, 2022, which resulted in a reduction of his sentence from 12 years to six years and his fine from RM210mil to RM50mil.
