KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has expressed his appreciation for those who gathered outside the Palace of Justice yesterday in solidarity with him.
"A single person to help you, to be with you in difficult times is far more valuable than a thousand people clapping and being with you in good times," he said in a statement.
"I appreciate each and everyone who was there," he said.
Yesterday, the Court of Appeal reinstated Najib's judicial review on a purported addendum order signed by the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong allowing him to serve the rest of his six-year jail term under house arrest.
The High Court dismissed Najib's application last year for a mandamus order to compel several respondents to provide a response and verify the existence of the alleged addendum order.
Pas and Barisan Nasional parties had initially planned to hold a rally outside of the court room yesterday.
However, the application for the assembly was rejected due to an incomplete submission.
Subsequently, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain warned the public against taking part in any illegal gatherings seeking pardons, saying the King's royal decree on pardons must be respected.
Umno later announced it would not attend the rally in response to the King's decree and Razarudin's directive. Other BN parties, MCA and MIC also followed suit.
Pas said it would go ahead with the rally.
It was reported that over 3,000 people gathered at the Palace of Justice yesterday.
They included some Umno leaders who came in their personal capacity, as well as opposition leaders from Pas and Bersatu.