Najib fails to get prison's nod to attend Parliament, Shafee issues ultimatum for home minister to answer appeal
Lawyer Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah speaks to reporters at the Kuala Lumpur High Court October 3, 2022. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
Monday, 03 Oct 2022 6:19 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 — Imprisoned former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s application to attend Parliament as a Pekan MP has failed, his lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah confirmed today.
Shafee said the Malaysian Prison Department had last week rejected his client’s application to go to the Dewan Rakyat on grounds of “security”, and said Najib plans to file a lawsuit if the home minister does not respond to his appeal by tomorrow noon.
“So because we have received the rejection from the director-general, we have written an appeal to the Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, we have written an appeal but we have yet to get an answer yet.
“If tomorrow by 12 noon, we don’t receive any answer, we are filing for a judicial review,” he told reporters at the court building here.
“This is to correct the wrong decision that we think the prison has made, because we think the reason that they gave, namely grounds of security is not logical, because what I told you, because Parliament is a lot more safer than court,” he added.
Monday, 03 Oct 2022 6:19 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 — Imprisoned former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s application to attend Parliament as a Pekan MP has failed, his lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah confirmed today.
Shafee said the Malaysian Prison Department had last week rejected his client’s application to go to the Dewan Rakyat on grounds of “security”, and said Najib plans to file a lawsuit if the home minister does not respond to his appeal by tomorrow noon.
“So because we have received the rejection from the director-general, we have written an appeal to the Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, we have written an appeal but we have yet to get an answer yet.
“If tomorrow by 12 noon, we don’t receive any answer, we are filing for a judicial review,” he told reporters at the court building here.
“This is to correct the wrong decision that we think the prison has made, because we think the reason that they gave, namely grounds of security is not logical, because what I told you, because Parliament is a lot more safer than court,” he added.
Is there such a law that allows a convict (albeit pending an appeal for royal pardon) to function as an MP still and demand to attend parliament?
ReplyDeleteIf so, in theory, Najib can attend ALL the sessions when parliament is convened.
Doesn't seem logical, does it?
And if the Agong cannot make a decision before the next GE, Najib will be allowed to roam free to sit in parliament?
Najib's lawyer is displaying an arrogance like it is Najib's right to attend parliament.
I hope some learned legal eagle will clarify the legality of Najib's action.
Let's be very clear what Najib is -A convicted criminal found guilty of a serious crime.
ReplyDeleteThere is no presumption of innocence. He is guilty.
And he demands to attend Parliament ?
The clause in the Constitution on holding in abeyance the loss of his Parliamentary seat while a Royal Pardon was being considered was written purely to temporarily avoid an expensive by-election in case the Pardon was accepted.
On the other hand, my lawyer friend thinks there is a doable and appropriate way to allow Najib to attend Parliament.
ReplyDeleteDressed in a prison uniform with Prison Guards by his side.
A convicted criminal like Najib is imprisoned for a good reason.
ReplyDeleteThe loss of freedom , individual choice and comfort is meant to be a lesson to him to reflect on his wrongdoing and repent.
So far Najib has shown absolutely no sign of repentance.
wonder if he still have that grin on his face when the lemmings shouts bossku
ReplyDeletewhat more can he say or contribute in parliament that can be of benefit to the country
except to make a mockery of himself with his presence
looks like he cant get over the fact he has brought shame to the razak name