KL's bid for gag order over Najib's house arrest case sparks backlash

Malaysian politicians, experts question its purpose with issue already in public domain

- Azril Annuar

The Malaysian government's move to apply for a gag order to stop discourse on former prime minister Najib Razak's application for house arrest has sparked backlash from politicians and experts, who question its purpose.

Constitutional law expert Shad Saleem Faruqi told The Straits Times that a gag order is "too late and futile", seeing as discussions on the matter are already in the public domain.

"This gag order appears to be too late because the issue has been openly discussed in Parliament and the media," said Professor Shad, who lectures at the University of Malaya.

On Jan 13, Deputy Public Prosecutor Shamsul Bolhassan said the government will file an application to prohibit discussion on Najib's attempt to serve the rest of his prison sentence at home.

The application will be filed in court by Jan 20, he said.

Najib was in 2022 sentenced to 12 years' jail for corruption linked to the multibillion-dollar scandal involving state fund 1MDB.

In January 2024, the Pardons Board chaired by Malaysia's then King, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, decided to halve Najib's 12-year jail term and slash his RM210 million (S$63.6 million) fine to RM50 million.

Najib has claimed there exists a royal addendum to that decision that entitles him to serve his prison sentence at home.

On Jan 7, Najib won a legal challenge allowing his house arrest case to be heard in Malaysia's High Court. He is seeking a court order compelling the government to verify and execute the royal addendum.