Judicial interference: Ahmad Maslan to explain

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Ahmad Maslan said he will respond in Parliament next week on the opposition’s allegation that the government had attempted to influence judges presiding over Felda cases.

“I will answer during the question and answer session in Parliament on March 26,” he told the media today, declining to give further comment.

The deputy minister in charge of Felda (left) was asked to respond to PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution’s allegation that the minutes of a Felda meeting chaired by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak which took place at Parliament House on Jun 27, last year, indicated that there were attempts to influence the judges.

The contentious line reads: “For cases involving oil extraction rate (OER), where (the) trial dates have not been fixed, ensure that judges and lawyers are given understanding of the subject and the technical method of OER calculation.

“Ensure that Felda wins this case so that future cases will not be affected.”

Saifuddin (right) said the cases refer to a lawsuit filed by 766 settlers fromSerting Hilir and the Raja Alias Felda settlement against Felda, in the Seremban High Court; and another suit by 645 settlers from the Maokil Felda settlement, filed in the Johor Bahru High Court.

On the decision of former Umno minister Kadir Sheikh Fadzir to quit the party, Ahmad Maslan described it as a wrong decision as the support for the ruling party is picking up.

“I think it was a wrong decision. When the people are leaving the opposition, he is going against the trend,” said the Umno publicity chief.

Kadir announced his decision to end his 56-year party membership in a statement yesterday without stating any reason.