Lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla has reminded Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Dzulkifli Ahmad of the legal maxim, “Justice delayed is justice denied”.
This was after Dzulkifli said the MACC would act on a number of high-profile cases only after upcoming general election as doing so before it may cause the cases to be used as an election issue.
“Investigations have started. But we do not wish to be dragged into politics because every case will become election fodder,” he had said.
Haniff, who is former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s lawyer, said the general election should not be MACC’s concern.
“Shouldn’t a criminal investigation agency like the MACC be responsible in curbing corruption regardless whether it is election season or examination season or even whether the suspect has had a death in the family?
“By asking the people to wait until after the 14th general election, does it not mean that the MACC had delayed justice in its cases simply due to the election season?
“Does this delay not allow opportunity for the suspects to destroy evidence, threaten witnesses or even fleeing before the general election?” he said in a Facebook posting.
The 14th general election is speculated to be held later this year but Prime Minister Najib Razak has until the middle of next year to go to the polls.
Despite Dzukefly’s tough talk about MACC's independence, Haniff said the very fact that the anti-graft commission would only act on certain cases after the general election showed it was politically influenced.
He added that the MACC could only inspire confidence if it acted on all cases immediately.- Mkini
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