Sultan could testify in court through authorised representative
SHAH ALAM - The Sultan may be called upon to provide testimony in a legal challenge brought by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak over the royal addendum.
However, according to protocol, such testimony would only be given by an authorised representative of His Majesty in court.
Lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla said in a hearing related to a pardon order purportedly approved by the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah when he was the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, his representative could testify in the case which involved his official affairs.
"Regarding the pardon or the addendum order, it is an official matter and this matter can be testified by a legal representative of His Majesty because the Agong, Sultan or King is the head of state, they cannot be brought down (to court) like ordinary people as it tarnishes their position.
"Unless he is a direct witness for a trial of a serious crime, for example murder.
"If His Majesty saw the incident, His Majesty would have to come to court to testify as a direct witness," he said when contacted by Sinar.
When asked about yesterday's proceedings which was conducted in chambers, Haniff said that trials were only ordered to be conducted in chambers in certain cases and the trial would be held behind closed doors.
He said it involved several things including taking into account security issues that sometimes did not directly involve national security but were related to the country's dignity.
He said the authorisation of a special chamber trial was decided upon the discretion of the court under Rule 53 of the Rules of Court 2012.
