THE Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office should explain its decision to approve former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s application to block the media from covering his judicial review application to serve his remaining jail sentence under house arrest.
In a statement on Thursday (April 18), electoral watchdog Bersih emphasised that proceedings of high-profile cases should be transparent to the public who has the right to know the true status of the case.
“If it’s not, it may give rise to perceptions of double standards that can erode public confidence in the government and our justice institutions,” it warned.
“Bersih once again emphasises that the principles of equal justice and transparency must always be upheld as the main principles to preserve the justice system and the rule of law in our country.”
The civil society said given the high-profile of the person involved in this case and the nature of the case which involves public interests and public funds, as previously decided by the Federal Court, it is necessary for it to be conducted “openly and transparently” for public knowledge.
“Bersih once again emphasises that the principles of equal justice and transparency must always be upheld as the main principles to preserve the justice system and the rule of law in our country,” it said.
Earlier today, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) also urged the High Court to reconsider the decision to block the media from covering Najib’s court case.
CIJ asserted that by preventing the media from reporting on issues pertaining to political expediency erodes public confidence in the judiciary.
Yesterday, the media were barred from proceedings of Najib’s legal bid to compel the federal government and the Pardons Board to produce a purported “supplementary order” from the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Earlier, Najib’s lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah requested leave proceedings to be heard in chambers before High Court judge Datuk Amarjeet Singh Serjit Singh as it involves sensitive issues.
It was revealed later that this was due to a “critical witness” on the matter, which was named in court filings as Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. – April 18, 2024
