Apex court allows Najib to attend appeal hearing on royal addendum
The Federal Court had previously fixed July 1 and 2 to hear the appeal against a Court of Appeal decision that allowed Najib Razak to initiate a judicial review related to the addendum. (EPA Images pic)
PETALING JAYA : The Federal Court today allowed an application by Najib Razak to attend the hearing of the attorney-general's appeal on the existence of a royal addendum allegedly permitting him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
A three-member panel comprising Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim and Federal Court judges Zabariah Yusof and Hanipah Farikullah allowed the application, and issued an order to facilitate Najib's presence at the hearing in July.
Bernama reported that the former prime minister's counsel, Shafee Abdullah, submitted the application and that it was unopposed by federal counsel Ainna Sherina Saipolamin, who represented the attorney-general.
The Federal Court had previously fixed July 1 and 2 to hear the appeal against a Court of Appeal decision that allowed Najib to initiate a judicial review related to the addendum.
In a 2-1 majority decision on Jan 6, the Court of Appeal remitted the case on Najib's claim of the existence of a royal addendum purportedly allowing him to serve the remainder of his six-year prison sentence under house arrest to the High Court to be heard on its merits.
This decision overturned the High Court's earlier dismissal of Najib's application for leave to commence a judicial review regarding the alleged addendum.
Najib is currently serving a six-year jail sentence in connection with the SRC International Sdn Bhd case, following the Federal Court's dismissal of his appeal and review application.
In February last year, the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced his initial 12-year jail sentence and fine of RM210 million to six years and a RM50 million fine.
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