The media has been barred from covering the hearing of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's application to strike out a suit related to 1MDB filed by Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua.

Pointing to the presence of reporters, Najib's lawyer Cecil Abraham reminded the court that the matter was fixed to be held in chambers, and as such, the public gallery should be emptied.

However, Pua's lawyer Gobind Singh Deo replied that the matter is of public interest and the press should be allowed to report the proceeding...