Latheefa: Probe into Bloomberg just like Najib's reaction to 1MDB exposé

 

The police probing Bloomberg over its report on alleged MACC wrongdoing is just like how the Najib Abdul Razak administration reacted against the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) over its 1MDB exposé, said lawyer Latheefa Koya.

The Lawyers for Liberty co-founder said it’s a tactic that is likely to backfire on the Madani government.

“It’s the same playbook. Furious denials and threats of criminal action against the news outlets. It didn’t save Najib, it won’t save Madani,” she told Malaysiakini.

“If (the report is) untrue, why this desperate reaction? Why not just form an independent body to thoroughly investigate the Bloomberg claims?” she added.

The Bukit Aman police headquarters, in a statement last night, said it launched a criminal investigation against Bloomberg over a Feb 10 report on MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s ownership of Velocity Capital Partner Berhad shares.

Bloomberg office

According to the federal police’s Criminal Investigation Department director, M Kumar, the article contained defamatory statements about Azam and is being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation.

One of Azam’s contentions with the Bloomberg article is regarding a line that the MACC chief had not made a public asset declaration.

The top graftbuster, however, contended that he had declared his assets to the Public Service Department and that a public disclosure was not necessary.

Previously, in 2015, the police launched an investigation against WSJ after it published bank documents detailing how US$681 million made its way into Najib’s personal accounts.

Last December, Najib was convicted of abuse of power and money laundering in connection with that transfer.

Wielding the law against dissent

Latheefa further criticised the use of Section 500 - which covers criminal defamation - against government critics.

“It’s used selectively to shut down criticism against people in power.

“It was once used against Pakatan Harapan leaders and activists when they were in opposition. Whenever allegations are made against government agencies, ministers, (or) state governments, out comes Section 500 to try and shut it all down.

“This tactic never works in the long-term, and it won’t work now,” she said.

Section 500 of the Penal Code is punishable with up to two years in prison, or a fine, or both.

During the Najib administration, among those investigated under Section 500 for making remarks about the 1MDB scandal were Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli and Malaysiakini. - Mkini