Malaysia attorney-general defends move to halt Najib’s house arrest order despite palace warning

Detailed summary

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's attorney-general on Saturday stood by his decision to seek legal clarifications over a royal order allowing imprisoned former Prime Minister Najib Razak to serve

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia’s attorney-general on Saturday stood by his decision to seek legal clarifications over a royal order allowing imprisoned former Prime Minister Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, and rejected accusations of treason after the palace insisted it must be implemented.

The dispute marks a rare public clash between the national palace and the government’s top legal office over the implementation of a royal decree.

The attorney general on Friday temporarily blocked Najib’s transfer from prison to house arrest, saying more legal clarification was needed.

But the palace Saturday issued a public rebuke, saying King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar’s prerogative of pardon for Najib that allowed the house arrest was clear and must be respected, as all conditions have been fulfilled.

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