AG wants further probe into lawyer’s texts that ‘sully’ judiciary’s image

 

Idrus Harun says the investigation papers were referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers recently.

PUTRAJAYA: Prosecutors have directed police to collect more evidence into allegations that a senior lawyer had suggested that a court decision could be rigged, Attorney-General Idrus Harun said.

He said the investigation papers were referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers recently.

“Having gone through the investigation papers, we directed the police to carry out further investigations,” Idrus told FMT in a text message.

On July 14, Sepang district police chief Wan Kamarul Azran Wan Yusof said investigation papers into the matter had been sent to the higher authorities.

Wan Kamarul said at the time that he was awaiting a directive whether further investigations needed to be carried out.

Police are understood to have recorded statements from eight witnesses, including three lawyers and a former legal director with the Malaysian office of a foreign company.

Investigators also seized the legal director’s mobile phone and a laptop.

On June 7, an unidentified officer to Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat lodged a police report over text messages that could potentially bring the judiciary into disrepute.

FMT understands that the police report disclosed that among the text messages was one to a foreign client stating “the path is covered till the CJ”.

It is learnt that the messages were in connection with two civil appeals pending before the Court of Appeal.

Wan Kamarul said the investigation was conducted under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) for improper use of network facilities.

Those found guilty could be fined up to RM50,000 or sentenced to a maximum one-year jail term, or both.

Wan Kamarul said the investigation was also being conducted under Section 500 of the Penal Code for alleged criminal defamation and under Section 504 of the same law for intentional insult to provoke breach of peace.

Sections 500 and 504 impose a jail term of up to two years or a fine, or both, if a person is found guilty.

On June 20, two prominent lawyers, Lim Chee Wee and Rosli Dahlan, lodged police reports denying any knowledge of the text messages that mentioned their names and spoke of matters that allegedly sullied the judiciary’s image. - FMT