Selective prosecution under PH? Reopen such cases, Anwar tells PM

 

Anwar Ibrahim said if Ismail Sabri Yaakob was implying that the PH government practised selective prosecution, the Attorney-General’s Chambers could reopen such cases.

PETALING JAYA: The government should reopen investigations into any alleged case of “selective prosecution” which occurred during Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) time in Putrajaya, said opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

He said this in the Dewan Rakyat today in response to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s reply to a question yesterday that while the government did not practise selective prosecution, he could not say the same about previous administrations.

Ismail was responding to Anwar’s question on the reasons for Malaysia’s drop in the global corruption perceptions index.

Anwar said if Ismail was implying that the PH government had practised selective prosecution, there was nothing preventing the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) from reopening such cases.

“Don’t just give excuses and make snide remarks as if this happened. If it did, then reopen the cases,” he said.

“Recently, we heard that the son of a tycoon received protection (from prosecution) after he was involved in drugs. Investigate him! I’m not here to defend any corrupt person.

“The file can be opened again. There is no time limit to charge a person for a crime. If the prime minister’s allegation is true, then please reopen investigation papers for such cases.”

Earlier this week, Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the police had completed investigations into the 2019 drug case involving tycoon Vincent Tan’s son.

He said only the AGC could comment further on the matter.

Tan’s son was arrested in December 2019 under Section 39(b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries the mandatory death penalty, for having a large quantity of drugs in his possession.

However, Twitter account Edisi Siasat, which recently changed its name to Edisi Khas, claimed that the case was classified as NFA (no further action) by then AG Tommy Thomas.

Last week, Thomas denied allegations that he had acted in a corrupt manner in reducing the charge against Tan’s son, who was arrested for drug offences when Thomas was in office.

Thomas said that in this matter, lawyers for the accused had submitted written representations to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to reconsider the decision to charge him.

“Having studied the representations and the investigation papers, reviewing the relevant provisions and after discussion with the case officers, I recall reducing the charges,” he said. - FMT