Malaysian Ex-PM Najib Razak's Legal Bid for House Arrest Sparks Ministerial Dispute

Two ministers clash over the authenticity of a royal order that could allow Najib Razak to serve his sentence at home, complicating the legal and political landscape.

• Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is challenging the government to allow him to serve his jail term at home, based on a disputed royal order.
• Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi claims to have seen the order, while Minister Tengku Zafrul denies its accuracy, leading to a public disagreement.
• The legal dispute has escalated tensions within the unity government, potentially affecting its stability as it relies on support from UMNO, which holds significant parliamentary seats.
• A high court decision on whether Najib can proceed with his legal challenge is expected on June 5, with the case heard behind closed doors due to its sensitivity.
• Analysts suggest that if the royal order is authenticated, it could severely impact Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's credibility and the transparency of his administration.

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