Government Seeks Gag Order Amid Political Tensions Over Former PM’s Sentence

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian government is pushing for a court-imposed gag order to restrict public and parliamentary discussion regarding former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s controversial bid for house arrest. This development comes after Najib’s recent legal victory sparked political tensions nationwide.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Shamsul Bolhassan announced that the application for the gag order will be submitted by 20 January. Najib’s legal team successfully challenged the government last week, securing the opportunity to present his case for house detention in the High Court. The former PM asserts that Malaysia’s former monarch decreed his detention at home and is requesting legal enforcement of the decree.

Najib has been incarcerated since August 2022 for crimes linked to the infamous 1MDB scandal. In January 2024, Malaysia’s former king reduced Najib’s 12-year sentence and fine, adding fuel to public debates. The monarch’s decision was one of his last before Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar took over as king under Malaysia’s rotational monarchy system.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim finds himself in a precarious position. Balancing reformist ideals with political alliances, particularly with Najib’s party, Umno, has proven challenging. While some members of Umno advocate for Najib’s freedom, opposition leaders demand transparency from Anwar over the alleged royal directive.

In an August 2024 address, Anwar clarified that the purported addendum order for house arrest bypassed the Pardons Board process. He emphasised that any decisions involving clemency must occur within the framework of a board meeting chaired by the reigning king.

The National Palace reaffirmed this protocol in early 2025, stating that all clemency applications related to federal offences must follow the established processes. Despite this, the political landscape remains divided over Najib’s legal manoeuvres.

The High Court has scheduled Najib’s next case management session for 11 March. As the government’s efforts to silence discourse unfold, the case continues to grip Malaysia, reflecting broader tensions between political loyalty, legal integrity, and public accountability.