Malaysians push for Najib's graft trial to be aired live

Kamles Kumar Kamles Kumar Updated 7 years ago · Published on 8 Jul 2018 7:42PM · 20 Comments

Tens of thousands of Malaysians have signed a petition calling for the graft trial of former prime minister Najib Razak to be broadcasted live by RTM. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, July 8, 2018.

A PETITION to demand that Najib Razak’s corruption trial be aired live on public television has gathered more than 10,000 signatures since it was started yesterday.

The petition, which was started by Karim Yasin has to date gotten more than 13,500 signatures. It urges Communication and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo to air the trial on RTM1.

The petition argues that live proceedings will ensure that the proceedings will be transparent since it is a matter of public interest.

The petition was also started in order to generate more funds for Tabung Harapan, where the rights to broadcast the trial from RTM could be sold to broadcasters worldwide.

Lawyer Surendra Ananth said it was up to the court to decide on whether the proceedings can be aired live.

“I do not think there is any prohibition in law for that to be done. The Courts of Judicature Act 1964 requires all trials to be conducted in open and in public.

“The purpose is to ensure transparency of the judicial process, that justice is seen to be done. Live streaming the trial would be in line with this purpose,” he told The Malaysian Insight when contacted.

The Malaysian Bar constitutional law committee co-chairman said the live stream could also affect proceedings by affecting witness behaviour.

“Live-streaming might change the way witnesses act in a trial. People might act differently when there is a camera in front them, knowing that the whole world is watching.

“It would be up to the judge at the end of the day, but there is nothing in law that prohibits him for allowing it,” he said.

Najib, 64, was charged last week with misusing his position as a prime minister and finance minister to receive RM42 million as inducement to provide a sovereign guarantee on behalf of the Malaysian government for a RM4 billion loan from the Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

The former leader, who fell from power after Barisan Nasional lost the May 9 general election, is facing three counts of criminal breach of trust in his capacity as prime minister, finance minister and SRC International adviser emeritus.

Najib is also facing another charge under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act.

SRC International was formerly a subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd, the brainchild of Najib. – July 8, 2018.

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Comments

  • Good idea and should be implemented

    Posted 7 years ago by Raymond kong · Reply

  • Those who have yet to sign the petition please do so at this site--- https://chn.ge/2J30Swz . Lets get as many as we can to force the issues. This is the 1st time in the history of Malaysia to have a live airing and also the trail of the world renown psycothic kleptocrat from our local stable.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Prejudicial..and witnesses as said maybe influenced to behave differently..may a recording to be aired to publuc not LIVE..

    Posted 7 years ago by Dr Shah Aziz Danny · Reply

    • Bro, what's the difference. Witnesses still know there are cameras recording anyway unless you meant the recordings need to be edited.
      It will be up to the judge but I say go for it

      Posted 7 years ago by ALAN THAM · Reply

    • LOL prejudicial only makes sense when its trial by jury. How is it even possible to be prejudiced when there is no jury???? Judge is not only trained to follow the Law but also use ONLY Laws to judge. So long as the Judge is following Rule of Law he is immune to any decisions he makes. Nobody can question him when makes judgement using on Rule of Law.

      Posted 7 years ago by Kok Leong Siew · Reply

  • Let's do it.

    Posted 7 years ago by Princess Katara · Reply

  • To prove that lokman is right ? He is very confident that the accused govt and the whole world is lying about the charges against Najib. July 8, 2018.

    Posted 7 years ago by Susan Taylor · Reply

  • lokman may I know why Nazip is not prepared to sue the living daylights off Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox News, BBC, Guardian, Al adzeera and almost Every other newspaper and news company in the whole civilised world for defaming him? Did Nazip order the running dogs like Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil Nik and Jho low to stop running so that they can defend for him.? Lokman if you want to know the truth go hunt for those running DOGS to help Nazips case. They can proof Nazip is innocent right?

    Posted 7 years ago by Susan Taylor · Reply

  • lokman may I know why Nazip is not prepared to sue the living daylights off Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox News, BBC, Guardian, Al adzeera and almost Every other newspaper and news company in the whole civilised world for defaming him? Did Nazip order the running dogs like Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil Nik and Jho low to stop running so that they can defend for him.? Lokman if you want to know the truth go hunt for those running DOGS to help Nazips case. They can proof Nazip is innocent right?

    Posted 7 years ago by Susan Taylor · Reply

  • It is unlikely. It could affect the accused's right to a fair trial..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Tactically, it is also Najib's prerogative not to sue WSJ or any other, his lawyers may have so advised..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Do the Judges' Rules allow anything like it? I am not sure..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • If UMNO election debate can be televised live, why not the mother of all trails?

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • Gila Tak Otak. Dont u hv anything better to do with yr miserable live? This is not a 1hr or 2hr affair. Its month n months n years affair n during working hours. Gila

    Posted 7 years ago by ChiKok Tew · Reply

    • Aww...cmon. Youre such a wet blanket. It will be great. We can have Lawyers as pundit to give their views along with live audiences reaction. We can also have a daily poll to have audience decide whether Najib is guilty or not. It will be a winner.

      Posted 7 years ago by Justice For All · Reply

  • The problem is not Najib, but the judge...he is the one who needs scrutiny in the eyes of the public...

    Posted 7 years ago by Balachandar Sundram · Reply

  • #surendra_ananth_grandfather_kidnap

    Posted 7 years ago by Bala Pillai · Reply

  • Brilliant! And lets have audiences live reaction to any proceedings.

    Posted 7 years ago by Justice For All · Reply

  • Splendid n GREAT idea

    Posted 7 years ago by Fuad FADZIL · Reply

  • Why not...after all Anwars Trial was well documented by the media and bernama -let us go a stage further for a corrupted family. Tun Razak was also corrupted, he allowed Genting Highlands a licence for gambling and had his father place as chairman of Genting. Son went one step further and plundered the country's coffers in the pretext of helping the poor!

    Posted 7 years ago by Magnolia Chan · Reply