Gag order on royal addendum: “Is the Madani govt truly transparent?” asks MCA
By Bernie Yeo
THE application for a gag order to prohibit discussions on the royal addendum for former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest deals a blow to freedom of speech and raises doubts if the government truly practises transparency or upholds democracy.
MCA vice president Datuk Lawrence Low noted that the former Pekan MP’s case has become a national topic of concern involving judicial fairness and government integrity and therefore the royal addendum should be subject to public scrutiny in the open and not quashed through a gag order.
Therefore, the request for a gag order gives the impression that the government is trying to mask something under the guise of a sensitive issue, he added.
“Freedom of speech is a fundamental pillar of a democratic society. Any attempt to deny this right seems to oppress the interests of citizens and contravenes the government’s “Madani” self-proclaimed commitment to transparency,” said Low.
“If the government has sufficient evidence and believes its position is just, is the government still fearful of public opinion that it feels the need to resort to such measures? Public monitoring is an essential tool to ensure the integrity of both the government and the judicial system.”
According to Low, any implementation of a gag order would not solve the issue but could potentially provoke greater public dissatisfaction and suspicion which would further erode public confidence and trust in the government.
“MCA respects the court’s decision. Nevertheless, the government’s attempt to curtail freedom of speech is clearly contradictory to the principles of democracy and Madani,” he stressed.
“Furthermore, the public’s attention to this royal addendum review application is a positive development, as openness and transparency will undoubtedly win the trust and support of the people. On the other hand, attempting to silence voices will certainly bear negative consequences.”
ON Jan 13, it was reported that the Attorney General’s Chambers (AG-C) would seek a gag order against public discussion on the addendum order in Najib’s appeal over his house arrest issue.
Senior Federal Counsel Shamsul Bolhassan told the media that the application would be filed on Jan 20.
When asked about the reason for the application, he said that it was to safeguard the Royal Institution, as the matter involves sensitive issues concerning royalty, religion, and race (3R).
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had similarly said that the application for a gag order to prohibit discussions on the royal addendum should not have been filed.
“From my perspective, a gag order should not be issued because, first, it will become a public document,” she was quoted as saying by The Star after officiating the International Political Financial Conference 2025 yesterday (Jan 14).
“Second, Parliament will convene next month, and this matter will undoubtedly be raised again.”
However, Azalina said that the A-GC might have specific legal reasons for applying. – Jan 15, 2025
THE application for a gag order to prohibit discussions on the royal addendum for former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest deals a blow to freedom of speech and raises doubts if the government truly practises transparency or upholds democracy.
MCA vice president Datuk Lawrence Low noted that the former Pekan MP’s case has become a national topic of concern involving judicial fairness and government integrity and therefore the royal addendum should be subject to public scrutiny in the open and not quashed through a gag order.
Therefore, the request for a gag order gives the impression that the government is trying to mask something under the guise of a sensitive issue, he added.
“Freedom of speech is a fundamental pillar of a democratic society. Any attempt to deny this right seems to oppress the interests of citizens and contravenes the government’s “Madani” self-proclaimed commitment to transparency,” said Low.
“If the government has sufficient evidence and believes its position is just, is the government still fearful of public opinion that it feels the need to resort to such measures? Public monitoring is an essential tool to ensure the integrity of both the government and the judicial system.”
According to Low, any implementation of a gag order would not solve the issue but could potentially provoke greater public dissatisfaction and suspicion which would further erode public confidence and trust in the government.
“MCA respects the court’s decision. Nevertheless, the government’s attempt to curtail freedom of speech is clearly contradictory to the principles of democracy and Madani,” he stressed.
“Furthermore, the public’s attention to this royal addendum review application is a positive development, as openness and transparency will undoubtedly win the trust and support of the people. On the other hand, attempting to silence voices will certainly bear negative consequences.”
ON Jan 13, it was reported that the Attorney General’s Chambers (AG-C) would seek a gag order against public discussion on the addendum order in Najib’s appeal over his house arrest issue.
Senior Federal Counsel Shamsul Bolhassan told the media that the application would be filed on Jan 20.
When asked about the reason for the application, he said that it was to safeguard the Royal Institution, as the matter involves sensitive issues concerning royalty, religion, and race (3R).
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had similarly said that the application for a gag order to prohibit discussions on the royal addendum should not have been filed.
“From my perspective, a gag order should not be issued because, first, it will become a public document,” she was quoted as saying by The Star after officiating the International Political Financial Conference 2025 yesterday (Jan 14).
“Second, Parliament will convene next month, and this matter will undoubtedly be raised again.”
However, Azalina said that the A-GC might have specific legal reasons for applying. – Jan 15, 2025
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