DAP: Use law on Nazri that jailed Anwar

Despite Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz's explanation that his letters to Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) to settle their suits with former Malaysia Airlines chairperson Tajudin Ramli was just "advice", DAP wants him to be investigated for power abuse and corruption under the same law that had jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in 1999.

In a statement issued today, DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua said it is a clear case of a minister using his superior position to exercise undue influence over decisions pending in these companies.

"Such an instruction from a minister's office, especially one with no authority over the various GLCs including Malaysia Airlines System (MAS), Telekom Malaysia and Prokhas (formerly Danaharta), must be at the very least highly improper, and at worst an illegal and corrupt practice to allow Tajudin to get away with billions of ringgit in debt."

Pua (left) pointed out that Nazri has no business giving instructions of any kind to the GLCs because he does not sit on the board of directors of any of these companies tasked to make decisions in their best interest.

"In fact, the party that is best positioned to advice the Boards on their legal case is their appointed legal team, who were taken by complete surprise by the directive from the minister."

The MP for Petaling Jaya Utara described Nazri's directive as a "complete mockery of corporate governance" of these firms, which will only turn away local and foreign investors which do not tolerate blatant government interference in business and financial decisions.

Pua said that Nazri can be investigated under Section 2(1) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance No. 22/1970 which reads:

"Any member of the Administration, Parliament or State Legislative Assembly or any public officer who commits a corrupt practice shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of 14 years or a fine of RM 20,000 or both."

'Helping hand for desparate attempt'

A “corrupt practice” in this case, he said, is defined as “any act done by a member…in his capacity as such member…whereby he has used his public position or office for his pecuniary or other advantage…”

According to Pua, it is the same law used to find Anwar guilty of alleged abuse of power in 1999 when he was jailed for 6 years.

Anwar, while holding the post of deputy prime minister and finance minister then, was alleged to have “committed corrupt practice” by giving directives to two police officers.

Yesterday Nazri (right) denied toMalaysiakini that he had instructed the GLCs to drop their suits against Tajudin, arguing that it was just advice.

He had said the move was made in his capacity as de facto law minister, coming on the heels of moves by Tajudin over the past several months to arrive at a settlement with the government on the companies' suits against him.

It was ,therefore, not mandotary for the companies to settle their suits, but conveyed to them that it was advisable, given the possible scenarios the new situation had presented, said Nazri.

However, Pua dismissed his explanation as a settlement between Tajudin and the GLCs could still be reached before the respective suits are withdrawn.

Nazri's directive, Pua said, was clearly designed to provide Tajudin (left)breathing space and a desperate attempt to bail him out of billions of ringgit in debt togovernment agencies and companies, as well as to excuse him for causing billions of ringgit in losses to MAS.

He recalled that in 2001, Tajudin via his corporate vehicle, Naluri Bhd was bailed out to the tune of RM1.792 billion by the government for the acquisition of MAS at RM8 per share despite the market price being only RM3.62.

"What is perhaps most tragic is the fact that all the credibility and goodwill generated by the Prime Minister's New Economic Model (NEM), where Najib Abdul Razak boldly declared 'we can no longer tolerate practices that support the behaviour of rent-seeking and patronage', is completely and irreversibly lost," said Pua. - Malaysiakini