My relationship with the king remains good, says Anwar

 The prime minister rejects claims that he defied the king in the government’s handling of Najib Razak’s house arrest.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the attorney-general was responsible for ensuring that every government decision and action complied with the law, including seeking clarification and referring the matter to the court for a ruling.

MELAKA TENGAH:

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has rejected claims that he defied the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim in the government’s handling of former prime minister Najib Razak’s house arrest, insisting that his relationship with the king remains cordial.

Speaking at an event in Ayer Molek here tonight, Anwar said the king had personally called him this evening and he dismissed allegations that his relationship with the palace had deteriorated.

Anwar said the house arrest issue was not within his power to decide unilaterally, but had to be resolved through the relevant judicial processes.

“They say I have defied the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong called me this evening. Our relationship is good.

“His Majesty saw that Najib had spent four long years in prison and wanted him to be placed under house arrest. That was not within my power. My powers are determined by the law,” he said.

Anwar said the attorney-general was responsible for ensuring that every government decision and action complied with the law, including seeking clarification and referring the matter to the court for a ruling.

“The attorney-general took time because he is responsible for upholding the law. His Majesty ordered (Najib’s house arrest), and the attorney-general said yes.

“We followed the process and had to bring the matter to court to determine when it could be implemented. That’s all,” he said.

Najib, 73, arrived at his home in Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta, on Tuesday night to serve the remainder of his six-year prison sentence in the SRC International case, having previously been in Kajang prison since Aug 23, 2022.

His 12-year prison sentence was halved in January 2024 under a royal pardon by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who also reduced Najib’s RM210 million fine to RM50 million.

In September 2026, the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong granted Najib a further conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028.

Umno subsequently paid the RM50 million fine using funds raised through a public crowdfunding exercise.

Separately, Anwar said an Umno minister had expressed doubt about the government’s ability to lower fuel prices.

“He sat in a Cabinet meeting and asked if it was even possible to lower fuel prices so much and whether we had the money. Then he came here to Melaka and criticised us. We have lowered the price of RON95 fuel to RM1.99 per litre,” he said. - FMT