They say it will also provide a 'template' for similar cases in the future.
Naran Singh said Najib’s house arrest prompted several questions, including whether the former prime minister would be allowed to use gadgets, have internet access, or receive visitors.
There was also the matter of whether he is allowed to keep bodyguards or domestic helpers as the house where he is now is considered a prison.
“We would not know unless the SOPs are disclosed to the public,” he told FMT.
Naran said if Najib’s residence at Langgak Duta is a prison, “he should live there alone”.
Senior lawyer Kitson Foong said making the SOPs public would be a “highly strategic and protective move” for all parties, particularly the institutions involved.
He suggested formalising the procedures as subsidiary legislation and publishing them in the Gazette, which would give the rules “bite”, and also benefit the government and the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
The authorities will then not have to deal with accusations of making special exceptions, he said, as they will have an objective, standardised framework to rely on.
Foong said publishing the SOPs would not compromise Najib’s privacy, as the public does not need to know his daily schedule, home security arrangements, or visitors.
Zaid Malek said disclosing the SOPs could also help curb speculation about Najib’s house arrest.
“If you want the public not to speculate, then the public needs information. Is he actually a prisoner, or is he just staying at his house and not being allowed to leave?
“The SOPs will also make it clear whether he has been given privileges that other prisoners do not get. Right now, we can only speculate,” he said.
He said disclosure would be timely as the government was moving towards passing a freedom of information bill.
Najib returned to his residence in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest.
He was jailed in August 2022 after the Federal Court upheld his conviction for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million in SRC International funds.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million.
In January 2024, then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah halved Najib’s prison sentence and reduced his fine to RM50 million under a royal pardon.
In September 2026, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, granted Najib a further conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence in the SRC International case under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028 upon settling the RM50 million fine.
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is expected to address issues surrounding the house arrest, including the conditions and restrictions, at the Dewan Rakyat later today. - FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.