'Integrity concerns in Sodomy II warrant independent prosecutor'

Integrity concerns surrounding the Sodomy II case, which concluded with the jailing of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, warrants the appointment of an independent prosecutor, said DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang.

This follows whistle blower portal Sarawak Report's claim that the case's prosecutor Shafee Abdullah allegedly received RM9.5 million from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also finance minister.

"Malaysians are entitled to know whether Najib’s RM9.5 million payment to Shafie had anything to do with the two Anwar appeal cases at the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court.

"Furthermore attorney-general Mohamad Apandi Ali should appoint an independent prosecutor to probe into claims that Anwar’s prosecutor got money from Najib, and the integrity of Anwar’s charge, trial and imprisonment," Lim, who is also Gelang Patah MP, said in a statement.

Malaysiakini had repeatedly attempted to contact Shafee through various channels about the allegation but has yet to receive a response.

Putrajaya, in a surprise move on July 22, 2013, recruited Shafee to lead the prosecution team against Anwar at the Court of Appeal, instead of the conventional practice of relying on public prosecutors.

The Court of Appeal on March 7, 2014, overturned the decision of the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, which acquitted Anwar, and sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment.

The Federal Court on Feb 10, 2015, upheld the conviction of Anwar, that he sodomised his former aide, Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Meanwhile, DAP's Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said the terms of Shafee's appointment as prosecutor in the Sodomy II case clearly stated that he must be paid from government coffers, as outlined under Section 379 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

"In the circumstances and in the public interest, I call upon the Finance Ministry to publicly disclose Shafee’s remuneration package for Sodomy II which will, undoubtedly, put to rest any speculation that the said RM9.5 million was paid to Shafee and if so, for his role in Sodomy II.

"The details of how much was paid to Shafee and when such payment was made for his role in Sodomy II would certainly rebut the said allegation of Sarawak Report to the benefit of Shafee and Najib," he said in a statement.

He also urged the two to initiate legal action against Sarawak Report if the claim was untrue.

Parti Amanah Negara Youth deputy chief Faiz Fadzil raised concerns that the claim reflected badly on the country's judiciary.

He noted that the allegation against Shafee was just one of several individuals who allegedly received money from Najib, whose funds allegedly originated from state-owned SRC International Sdn Bhd.

He urged the authorities to probe all individuals who received money from the prime minister under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

"The prime minister's silence over allegations of wrongdoing in the mega scandal shows the lack of accountability.

"The prime ministrer needs to explain the purpose of the payments and whether they were declared to the Inland Revenue Board and taxed," he said.

A document held up by attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali at a press conference in January last year showed at least RM32 million went into the prime minister's personal bank accounts from SRC International.

Apandi cleared Najib of wrongdoing on the grounds that the prime minister was not aware of receiving the money.  -Mkini