Probe Najib and associates for forgery and conspiracy, says lawyer

While the MACC is investigating the auditor-general’s revelationsof changes to the 1MDB audit report, a lawyer has called for the police to also probe former premier Najib Abdul Razak for forgery and criminal conspiracy.

Mohd Haniff Khatri Abdulla (photo) said the exposé by auditor-general Madinah Mohamad yesterday brings to light the alleged criminal wrongdoings under Sections 463, 464 of the Penal Code and criminal conspiracy under Section 120A of Penal Code.

"In fact, the exposé is not only against Najib but also includes the three individuals named: Shukry Salleh (Najib's former private secretary), former chief secretary to the government, Ali Hamsa, and former auditor-general Ambrin Buang, all of whom are also to be investigated for their respective roles in abetment and criminal conspiracy," said Haniff.

He said that for forgery, the punishment stipulated under Section 465 of the Penal Code is a maximum two years’ jail, or a fine, or both.

For criminal conspiracy, he said under Section 120B(2), if convicted, the accused is liable for six months’ jail, or a fine, or both.

Haniff defended Madinah's exposé on the issue, saying that crime must be exposed, investigated and action must be taken.

He added that while the MACC is looking into it, the police should step in as well.

"It is ridiculous and bordering insanity for Najib's lawyer (Muhammad Shafee Abdullah) to suggest that Madinah should have consulted with his client, before exposing it.

Yesterday evening it was reported that Shafee's firm, Shafee & Co, issued a statement, claiming the revelation by Madinah was political in nature as it was directed by the cabinet.

"This seems to indicate that there were political undercurrents and considerations taken for the decision to issue the said press statement," the firm said.

"It is important to note that at no point was our client contacted by the auditor-general’s office for an explanation before their press statement was issued. Therefore, our client was never given a chance to respond beforehand to the auditors’ intended press release and (is) therefore, another serious breach of natural justice," added the firm.

Attempt to conceal crime

Meanwhile, another lawyer, Syed Iskandar Syed Jaafar Al Mahdzar, said Shafee's statement can be construed as an attempt to conceal the crime or an attempt to cover up.

He urged that a police report be lodged immediately against Shafee.

Syed Iskandar (photo) further pointed the possibility of Shafee's conflict of interests in representing Najib as the lawyer himself has been charged with receiving money from Najib's account.

"There is a possible conflict of interest thus explaining why Shafee was caught giving statements to the media that can be construed as another miserable attempt to clear his own name when he was giving his views about Najib's case," he added.

The latest exposé, Syed Iskandar said of the alleged IMDB audit tampering, is not premature.

"It is, in fact, an obligation upon the discovery of the information."

"Thus, the cabinet was right in its action, (as was) the auditor-general. It is an obligation under several laws to expose crimes and not to talk nonsense like what Shafee did, who showed his bad intention in attempting to cover up, not only for Najib, but also for himself since he was also recently charged with receiving illegal money from Najib," Syed Iskandar added. -Mkini