PETALING JAYA: The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih) has called for an open hearing of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's leave application for a judicial review of the royal pardon he was granted.
Referring to the High Court's decision to bar the media from covering the proceedings, Bersih questioned why the deputy public prosecutor did not object to the application to bar the media and must clarify to the public why they didn’t do so.
In his application, Najib claimed that the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in an addendum to the royal pardon granted to him, had allowed him to serve his prison sentence under house arrest.
"A trial of such a high profile case should be transparent as the public needs to know the proceedings of the case.
"If this does not happen it will create a perception of double standards which will erode the public's confidence in the government and the country's judiciary,” said Bersih in a statement on Thursday (April 18).
Bersih stressed the principle of justice which should be the same for all and the protection of the justice system and the rule of law should be the priority.
