THE letter sent by Law Minister Azalina Othman Said to ex-prime minister Najib Razak’s lawyers affirming the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) findings on judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali was not discussed in cabinet, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today. 

He reportedly told Malaysiakini that Azalina did not bring the matter up during the cabinet meeting. 

“No. The matter has never been discussed in the cabinet meeting,” he said.

He was also unsure whether the cabinet would discuss the matter in its weekly meeting on Wednesday. 

“The next meeting is this Wednesday. I don’t know yet what would be on the agenda,” he said. 

It was reported last Thursday that Azalina had sent a letter to Najib’s lead counsel Mohamed Shafee Abdullah affirming MACC’s finding of Nazlan’s alleged conflict of interest when he presided over Najib’s trial. 

Shafee had wanted to know if MACC found that Nazlan had violated the Judges’ Code of Ethics, and in her reply dated March 20, Azalina stated his “queries are answered in the affirmative”. 

Loke also said Umno ministers did not discuss any plan to seek a royal pardon for Najib in cabinet meetings. 

“To be fair to the Umno ministers, they have never brought this issue to be discussed in the cabinet. 

“So, it was not a position taken by the cabinet. It was the party’s (Umno) decision,” he said. 

“Whether the application would be allowed or not, it is up to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. 

“For us (government), we put full confidence in the due process and wisdom of the king to make the best decision.” 

Last Friday, Umno said it would apply for a royal pardon for Najib. 

This decision came after the Federal Court dismissed Najib’s application to review an earlier Federal Court’s decision to dismiss his final appeal in the SRC International case. – April 10, 2023.