Stand down as judge, lawyer urges ex-AG Terrirudin

Stand down as judge, lawyer urges ex-AG Terrirudin

KUALA LUMPUR: A senior lawyer has called for former attorney-general Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh to stand down as a Federal Court judge until the issue of a royal pardon addendum linked to Najib Razak is resolved.

Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican said the controversy surrounding the addendum raised several concerns over Terrirudin’s credibility and integrity.

“Getting Terrirudin to stand down temporarily would be a more appropriate step to take instead of forming a tribunal to have him removed,” he said at a forum here.

Hasnal accused Terrirudin of failing to seek an audience with the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong to discuss the addendum, failing to inform the government about the existence of the addendum, and failing to advise the home minister on the matter, which caused the home minister to mislead Parliament – a serious offence.

Nor did he clear the air when the matter was brought to court, Hasnal said.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

- Apakah Masa Depan UMNO Sebagai Parti Politik Orang Melayu
- Sekali Lagi Anwar Jadi ‘Kapten Amerika’ Untuk Rakyat Malaysia

Apakah Pemimpin Politik Masih Menghormati Prinsip Demokrasi?

Terrirudin should relinquish his duties as a Federal Court judge until the addendum matter is resolved in court, Hasnal said, as any decision Terrirudin makes as a judge would become law.

Terrirudin was appointed as a Federal Court judge in November last year.

Another lawyer at the forum, Haniff Khatri Abdulla, said the government’s application for a gag order over the royal addendum was a “wily move” by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to cover up its mistakes made in the former prime minister’s trial.

The government filed for a gag order in January to prevent public discussion on the royal addendum, issued by then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah in January last year.

Najib, who is serving a jail term for corruption and abuse of power, contends that the addendum provides for him to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest.