Anwar keeps mum over 'decree' allowing house arrest for Najib

Malaysian PM cites jailed ex-leader's upcoming appeal over alleged 'addendum'

- Hazlin Hassan

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has refused to confirm or deny the existence of a highly controversial royal document that would purportedly allow former premier Najib Razak to serve his remaining prison sentence at home.

Commenting on the issue that has bedevilled his government for months, Datuk Seri Anwar told Parliament on Dec 10 that he could not comment on the matter as Najib has a court appeal on Jan 6, 2025, over the alleged "addendum".

"Is it reasonable for us to comment before (the hearing)? The answer is no," said Mr Anwar. "Until this case is concluded in court or the King allows it, we cannot discuss it."

PM Anwar added in the Lower House that he had referred the matter to the Malaysian King, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor, for further deliberation.

The premier was replying to a supplementary question by an opposition lawmaker.

His government has been roiled by claims that the previous Malaysian king, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah of Pahang, had issued a document stating that Najib serve the rest of the prison term under house arrest.