[UPDATED] Najib files contempt proceedings against ex-AG over house arrest addendum

New Straits Times

23-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has initiated contempt proceedings against former Attorney-General(A-G) Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh.
The legal firm Messrs. Shafee & Co., which represented the former prime minister, said that the contempt action relates to the addendum order issued by the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which allowed Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
The statement said that the application for leave to initiate contempt proceedings was filed against Terrirudin, who is now a Federal Court judge, on May 21.
It added that the application was based on clear evidence that Terrirudin had knowledge of the alleged addendum order but chose to mislead the court.
The statement further revealed that the addendum order dated Jan 29, 2024, was handed to Najib through his son, Datuk Mohamad Nizar, and that the Pahang Royal Council had officially confirmed its authenticity via a letter dated Jan 4 this year.
"The contents of the documents not only confirm the existence of the addendum order and its Royal decree of house imprisonment, but further disclosed that it was personally addressed to Terrirudin for him to execute the order.
"Despite knowing about the addendum order, it is our client's assertion that the former A-G instructed his officers to mislead the High Court by portraying Najib's claims as speculative, a fishing expedition and based on hearsay, even though he knew those claims were true.
"Our client believes that by electing to mislead the High Court, the former A-G has brought the administration of justice into disrepute, warranting serious sanction by the Courts.
"Given that the former A-G now serves as a Judge of the Federal Court, it is essential that he be accorded an opportunity to answer these serious allegations and, if appropriate, purge the contempt," said the statement.
The statement said that as a public officer, Terrirudin had a duty to be fully honest with the Court.
It added that both Malaysian and international legal principles, including recent Federal Court decisions, clearly require the government to present all relevant facts and documents in any judicial review.
"A deliberate failure to do so undermines public confidence in the administration of justice, and indeed an obstruction of justice itself," it added.
Najib is serving a six-year sentence after being convicted of misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
The High Court had initially sentenced him to 12 years in prison with a fine of RM210 million. This verdict was upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court.
However, his sentence was reduced to six years, and his fine was lowered to RM50 million following his petition for a royal pardon on Sept 2, 2022.