AG happy with British cooperation in probe on RPK

Malaysia is satisfied with Britain's cooperation in investigations pertaining to blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who is reportedly in London.

Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail said the matter must be handled according to legal channels, with one country respecting the laws of another.

"Yes, I have no complaints. Everything has got to be done by legal means. One does not flout another country's laws and it is much more, even so, for the authorities in both countries to respect the laws of the other country," he said.

Abdul Gani was speaking at a press conference after the signing of the Treaty on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between Malaysia and Britian here today, to cooperate in the prevention and combating of transnational criminal activities.

Asked if the treaty would help in bringing back Raja Petra from London, the attorney-general said: "It will help in all cases, not only Raja Petra.

"But remember, we still have to comply with each other's laws. This is not simple."

No extradition treaty with Britain

Abdul Gani said, there was no extradition treaty between Malaysia and Britain, and that was a separate process from the treaty signed today.

However, he said Malaysia could make a request to any country on the directive of the home minister, and subjected to the laws of the country involved.

"There has always been an understanding on this extradition but so far, we have not made any application to the United Kingdom for a proper extradition treaty.

"An extradition treaty is a matter for us to think about later, but we are very happy with this mutual assistance treaty today," said Abdul Gani.

Raja Petra (photo, with wife) fled the country after two warrants of arrest were issued, following his failure to be present in court proceedings on April 23 and May 23 last year, for allegedly posting seditious and slanderous articles on his website.

Asked if written replies by former private investigator S Balasubramaniam to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was admissible in a court of law in this country, Abdul Gani replied:

"Whatever MACC does, it has to comply with our laws to determine admissibility. You don't actually need to have your statement recorded by the police. Documents are all admissible in court, provided you comply with the law. So, it's fine with me," he said.

The private eye courted controversy when he made two conflicting sworn declarations related to the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.

He alleged that he was enticed to change his declarations by Prime Minister Najib Razak's younger brother and a businessman who has close links with Najib's wife, Rosmah.

The MACC recently decided against going to London to record a statement from Balasubramaniam and instead, submitted questions for him via his lawyer.

- Bernama