Prisons Dept rejects Najib’s request to attend Dewan sittings

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prisons Department has rejected former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s request to attend Dewan Rakyat sittings, says his lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

Muhammad Shafee, who met with reporters after the 1Malaysia Development Bhd trial here on Monday (Oct 3), said that Najib's request to attend was turned down by the department on "security grounds".

ALSO READ: Not up to me if Najib can attend Parliament sitting, says Speaker

"I find it a bit odd. Because surely the Parliament is a lot safer than the (court) building here.

"The Parliament has their own security. The Prisons Department and the police ensure further security," he said.

ALSO READ: 'Bossku' still a potent force despite character assassination on Najib, says Zahid

The senior lawyer said it was "illogical" to think that Parliament was an unsafe place for the Pekan MP to be.

Muhammad Shafee said that he has written an appeal against the Prisons Department's rejection to Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

ALSO READ: Najib in better health and has returned to Kajang Prison, says hospital

"If we do not receive any answer by Tuesday (Oct 4) afternoon, we will be filing for judicial review at the High Court.

"This is to correct the wrong decision that we think the Prisons Department has made," he added.