KUALA LUMPUR — The High Court today dismissed an application by the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) for a gag order to prevent public discussion on issues related to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s judicial review application.
The judge ruled that the existing legal frameworks, such as defamation and contempt laws, were sufficient to address concerns about fairness, and that a gag order was unnecessary, Bernama reported.
“I do not think that issuing a gag order would address the real and substantial risk to the fairness of the trial,” said Justice Alice Loke Yee Ching.
She pointed out that Najib’s case had already been widely discussed in the media.
With the gag order request rejected, the court also dismissed Najib’s attempt to amend his judicial review application.
The former prime minister had sought to include a new affidavit from his son, Datuk Mohd Nizar, as well as a letter purportedly confirming the authenticity of an Addendum Order which would allow him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
Justice Loke ruled that the proposed amendments went beyond merely updating facts, as they introduced allegations that had already been superseded by the granting of leave for judicial review.
“These are matters requiring a response from the respondents, which could prejudice them,” she explained.
“Both the affidavits of Mohd Nizar, already accepted as evidence, are sufficient,” she added, dismissing the application for amendment.
Najib, 72, is seeking a mandamus order compelling the respondents, including the Home Minister, Commissioner-General of Prisons, and Attorney General, to confirm the existence of a document dated January 29, 2024, and to allow him to serve his sentence at home if it is authenticated.
The former Pekan MP has been incarcerated at Kajang Prison since August 23, 2022, following his conviction for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd. His original 12-year prison sentence and RM210 million fine were later reduced after he was granted a royal pardon by the Pardons Board in September 2022. – September 19, 2025