Crime & Courts

Najib files for judicial review to serve his constituency, attend Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has filed a legal challenge against the government to allow him to service his constituency in Pekan and attend the on-going parliament sitting.

The former prime minister through Messrs Shafee & co. filed a judicial review at the High Court here today.

Najib named the government, the home minister, and Prisons commissioner general as the first, second, and third respondents, respectively.

Counsel Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee confirmed this when contacted today.

Najib in his application notice is seeking an order to quash the decision of the third respondent not to allow the applicant access to his officers for the purposes of parliamentary duties.

He is also seeking to dismiss the third respondent's decision not to allow him to attend Parliament on the scheduled dates.

Najib in his affidavit said he has a constitutional obligation to discharge his duties as stated in Article 59 of the Federal Constitution.

"A denial of that right by the respondents in refusing the applicant the ability to administer his constituency is in effect a denial of the wellbeing of the constituency of Pekan.

"The applicant has a constitutional obligation to discharge his duties effectively and with substance as a member of parliament in representation of his constituents.

"A denial of that right is in effect a denial of the will and voice of the constituents of Pekan to have their views heard on a national and legislative capacity," he said.

He said the Parliament grounds including the Dewan Rakyat was deemed a security area that commonly hosts kings, prime ministers and other national leaders.

"In fact, the Prisons Department has the necessary facilities to ensure the safety and security of persons under their care where they regularly cater for prisoners charged and convicted for violent and security offences," he added.

The case is fixed for case management before judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid on Oct 12.

On Monday, Najib's lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said the Prisons Department rejected their request because of security issues.

Najib, 69, is serving his 12-year jail sentence at the Kajang Prison.

He was found guilty of all seven charges relating to misappropriation of RM42 million of SRC International funds.

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