KUALA LUMPUR - In a decision that is still sending shock-waves around the country, controversially-appointed Attorney General Apandi Ali has ordered the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to close high-profile corruption investigations against Prime Minister Najib Razak.
"Based on facts and evidence, no criminal offences have been committed by the PM in relation to three investigation papers," Apandi told a packed emergency press conference held on Tuesday.
“I hereby order the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) to close the investigation papers."
The hastily-convened presser and unscheduled announcement have sparked speculation of a back-to-the-wall 'Custer's Last Stand'-style defence from Najib and his supporters to a rising move by powerful critics in his Umno party to oust and arrest him for alleged grand-scale kleptocracy and abuse of power.
Many political watchers are linking what they call today's 'massive, bare-faced corruption cover-up' to last week's shock move by Najib against arch foe and former mentor Mahathir Mohamad.
"It now becomes clear why Najib threatened to remove Mukhriz as Kedah Mentri Besar. It is to tell Mahathir to cease fire. Stop the revolt against me or your son goes down too," an Umno watcher said.
But will Mahathir, who ruled Malaysia with a grip of iron from 1981 to 2003, be cowed?
"For sure, Umno senior leaders won't like this high-handed decision from Apandi. Leaders whom Najib sacked over this controversy like Muhyiddin Yassin and Shafie have been waiting for the MACC probe and the widely-predicted recommendations for charges against Najib. They are not going to accept a dubious all-clear from Apandi now. But will Mahathir back off with his son's position as MB turned into a political yo-yo by those close to Najib?"
Indeed, reports in Naib-controlled media have been warning of dire consequences for the popular Mukhriz, whom Najib loyalists have accused of tardiness and being 'always away' from the northern state he heads. From a Monday deadline to Wednesday and the latest, to be by Friday, these media have noisily warned that Najib is poised to name a new MB to replace Mukhriz.
Will MACC disavow Apandi's claims or be cowed into silence
All eyes are now also the response from the MACC.
Will the anti-graft agency, which reports directly to the PM, dare to disavow Apandi's claim and publicly demand that their probe papers be made public and appeal to the Cabinet or Parliament or the King to decide on what to do with Najib, if indeed it had found enough evidence of Najib's guilt,
Earlier today, Apandi said he had studied the investigation papers and was satisfied there was insufficient evidence to implicate the 62-year-old Najib in the 1MDB-linked SRC and RM2.6 bil scandals, where enormous amounts of cash were found in the PM's personal bank accounts.
Apandi, who is due to retire next month, said evidence from witnesses and supporting documents showed that the original sum transferred between March 22 and April 10 2013 was a "personal donation from the Saudi royal family given to him (Najib) without any consideration."
Najib had already 'returned' the money to the Saudi royal family
The AG further said that, out of the RM2.6bil, RM2.03bil or US$620 mil was returned to the Saudi royal family in August 2013 because the sum was had not been utilized.
"MACC in their investigation, personally met and recorded statements from witnesses including the donor which confirm that the donation was given to PM personally," he added.
MORE TO COME - Malaysia Chronicle
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