Malaysian govt seeks gag order on Najib's house arrest bid

Malaysia's government is seeking to prevent public discourse on jailed former prime minister Najib Razak's bid for house arrest, a week after his court victory led to political unease.

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The government will apply for a gag order from the court that would prohibit even the Malaysian Parliament from discussing Najib's attempt to serve the rest of his 1MDB-related prison sentence at his own residence.

According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Shamsul Bolhassan, the government will file an application by Jan 20.

Najib last week won a legal challenge that would allow his case for house arrest to be heard in Malaysia's High Court.

He contends that Malaysia's former king had decreed that he be detained at home, and is seeking a court order compelling the government to verify and execute the king's wishes.

The former premier has been in prison since August 2022 for crimes related to state investment fund 1MDB.