The former Yang di-Pertuan Agong said the matter was currently within the purview of the courts and called for all parties to respect the process.

“The addendum decree is in the hands of responsible and trustworthy persons. All parties must respect the laws and processes that have been established.

“Avoid creating confusion and unnecessary debates. I urge everyone to uphold the values of honesty, trust, mutual respect and openness in resolving all arising issues,” he said in a statement.

The Federal Court will on March 24 hear an application by the attorney-general for  leave to appeal against a ruling handed down by the Court of Appeal.

On Jan 6, the Court of Appeal had, by a majoirty of 2-1, granted Najib leave to begin judicial review proceedings to compel the government to execute the addendum issued by Al-Sultan Abdullah when he was king.

Justices Firuz Jaffril and Azhahari Kamal Ramli held that the High Court’s finding that Najib’s affidavits were based on hearsay evidence could no longer stand following the new evidence which the former prime minister adduced in the appeals court.

Najib had presented as evidence a copy of the addendum which he obtained after the High Court hearing in July.

Justice Azizah Nawawi, who chaired the appeals court bench, dissented, saying the High Court was correct in ruling that a mandamus order could not be issued against the pardons board.

Azizah said there was no legal provision that could make the board confirm or disclose the existence of a pardon order, including any decree made by way of an addendum.