Zahid also expressed gratitude to Pahang’s Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah after Najib’s lawyers earlier produced a letter purportedly from the comptroller of the Pahang royal household confirming the existence of the addendum order, and verifying its authenticity.

“The verification by the comptroller of the Pahang royal household proves the authenticity of the affidavits backing Najib’s petition filed by me and Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail previously.

“Umno respects the ongoing legal process and will continue fighting for justice for Najib. I also want to thank Umno members and supporters for tirelessly backing this struggle.

“Umno also seeks the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim’s compassion, wisdom and justice to grant a full pardon to Najib, in line with his prerogative powers under Articles 41(1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution,” he said in a statement.

Earlier today, the Court of Appeal granted Najib leave to begin judicial review proceedings to compel the government to execute a supplementary decree issued by the former king allowing him to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest.

In a split decision, the three-member Court of Appeal bench also allowed Najib’s application to adduce new evidence when the merits of the case are heard in the High Court, and for the judicial review to be heard before a new judge.

Justice Firuz Jaffril said Najib had written to six of the seven respondents named in the appeal seeking to confirm the existence of the purported addendum but received no reply from any of them.

He also said the government had not provided any compelling rebuttal to the evidence adduced by Najib, including a copy of the addendum from the Pahang ruler, who was the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Firuz said the High Court’s findings that Najib’s affidavits were based on hearsay evidence could no longer stand following the new evidence adduced by Najib, the former Pekan MP.