KUALA LUMPUR: The family of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had genuinely believed there was a strong chance he would be allowed to serve the rest of his sentence at home, so much so that Najib himself had packed some of his belongings ahead of the High Court ruling.
That was the emotional revelation made by his son, Datuk Mohamad Nizar, in a video posted on TikTok, hours after the Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed Najib’s judicial review application yesterday.
“When I met my father, I saw that he was cheerful in the morning, and he had packed some of his belongings,” Nizar said, painting a picture of hope that quickly turned to disappointment when the decision was announced.
For months, Najib’s family has argued that an addendum decree — allegedly issued by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is also the Sultan of Pahang — granted Najib the right to serve his sentence under house arrest. Nizar reiterated this claim in his video, insisting that the document was real and had been “hidden”.
The legal dispute revolves around whether such an addendum order exists, whether it is valid under the law, and whether it complies with the constitutional procedure governing royal clemency.
High Court judge Alice Loke ultimately ruled that the supposed addendum did not fulfil the procedural requirements under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution. Article 42 sets out, among other things, that decisions on pardons and related matters must involve the Pardons Board and follow clearly defined constitutional safeguards.
By ruling against Najib, the court effectively affirmed that any variation to Najib’s sentence must strictly comply with constitutional processes — and that informal or undocumented directives cannot override those procedures.
Nizar, however, remained defiant. While acknowledging the setback, he vowed that his family would continue their legal struggle.
“Our family will not rest until our father is free. We will keep fighting. Justice will prevail,” he said.
The case has broader implications beyond Najib’s personal fate. It raises sensitive questions about royal authority, judicial oversight, constitutional boundaries and public confidence in the justice system.
Najib, who remains imprisoned, has already been the subject of intense legal and political attention since his conviction, with the clemency decision earlier reducing his sentence triggering wide national debate. This latest ruling is expected to prolong the controversy, with legal experts anticipating further appeals.
For now, Najib’s family appears determined not to treat the court’s decision as the end of the road. Nizar’s statement suggests that the fight will continue — both in the legal arena and in the court of public perception.