In a significant legal development, former Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has achieved a pivotal victory in his appeal, bringing him closer to implementing a royal addendum that could allow him to serve house arrest.
The Court of Appeal, in a 2-1 majority decision this afternoon, permitted Najib’s appeal for leave to initiate a judicial review. This review aims to compel the Home Minister and the government to enforce an alleged decree by the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The appellate bench, led by judge Azizah Nawawi and supported by judges Azhahari Kamal Ramli and Mohd Firuz Jaffril, delivered a split verdict. While Azizah Nawawi dissented and denied the appeal, judges Azhahari and Mohd Firuz ruled in Najib’s favour, allowing the matter to return to the Kuala Lumpur High Court for a detailed hearing on the judicial review’s merits.
This decision has reignited debates surrounding Najib’s ongoing legal battles and the implications of a royal decree in shaping the future of his sentence. Legal experts believe this could set a precedent for how judicial reviews involving royal decrees are handled in Malaysia.
The next steps involve a full hearing at the High Court, where the judicial review’s arguments will be examined thoroughly. For Najib, this marks a critical moment in his pursuit of legal relief, while for the nation, it underscores the complexities of balancing judicial authority and royal influence.
Stay tuned as we bring you updates on this high-profile case. – Dailyexpressmalaysia