Muda slams govt for seeking gag order on Najib’s addendum

Muda slams govt for seeking gag order on Najib’s addendum

PETALING JAYA: Muda has criticised the government for seeking a gag order from the court to bar the public from discussing Najib Razak’s bid to compel Putrajaya to execute his house arrest addendum.

The opposition party said Putrajaya should not curb free speech on the matter and questioned if there were personal interests behind this move.

Muda said the government’s application reflected its fear of maintaining transparency in the matter, when this was key for a healthy democratic society.

“Article 10 of the Federal Constitution clearly guarantees freedom of speech for all Malaysians.

“Why use the excuse that (the addendum) touches on ‘sensitive issues’ to restrict public discussions on a matter that touches on the integrity of national institutions?

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“On whose orders was the application for this gag order filed?” it asked in a statement.

Earlier today, senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan said the government will file for the gag order in the High Court and for it to remain in force pending the decision on Najib’s bid to compel Putrajaya to execute the addendum.

Najib’s lead counsel Shafee Abdullah objected, arguing that the addendum was an issue of public interest.

In a split ruling last week, the Court of Appeal granted Najib leave to pursue his judicial review application.

Shafee had submitted to the Court of Appeal a letter from the comptroller of the Pahang royal household confirming the existence of the addendum from the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

The appeals court also allowed Najib’s application for the judicial review to be heard before a new judge in the High Court.

The Court of Appeal’s decision led to Perikatan Nasional accusing the government of “hiding” the addendum, though Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim denied this.

Anwar confirmed that the addendum was sent to the then attorney-general, Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh, but said it was sent back to Istana Negara after Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar became the 17th Agong.