Hisham believes Dr M did not 'interfere' in Najib's case, PAS advises caution

Former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein believes that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad did not interfere in the court case against his cousin, former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

He also pointed out that detractors had accused BN leaders of doing the same in the past.

“I don't think so,” Hishammuddin replied when asked about Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam claiming that Najib would be a free man if not for Mahathir's meddling.

"We were similarly accused when we were the government... At the end of the day, the judiciary has to defend their dignity, credibility and integrity themselves.

"It is not about who is influencing but the court process will decide the integrity, independence and credibility of the judges in the trial," Hishammuddin told reporters in Parliament today.

Lokman made the accusation after the High Court in Kuala Lumpur yesterday ordered Najib to enter his defence on all seven charges in relation to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

"Since the beginning, I knew there was interference from Mahathir. Had that not been so, the case would have been dropped," he had said.

Najib's lead counsel Muhammad Shaffee Abdullah also revealed that both the defence team and their client were shocked that there was no acquittal.

Following this, Mahathir said he was shocked that Najib was shocked and claimed that the whole world knows the former prime minister is guilty of the charges against him.

PAS sec-gen: Be careful with comments

However, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said those who have a stake in the case should refrain from commenting until the matter is disposed of.

"The person accused in court is a leader of the opposition, who is the former prime minister.

"When the court makes a decision asking him to enter his defence, those with a stake (in the case), such as the government, should be careful when making comments because it can be viewed as interference,” Takiyuddin added.

Meanwhile, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim (photo), who had accused Mahathir and Najib of influencing the courts with regard to the sodomy charges against him in the past, said there is no basis to Lokman's allegation.

"He (Lokman) can make such claims but the legal process is free and transparent.

"I don't think we should entertain allegations unless they can give some facts or evidence to support (the claims). Otherwise, we should allow the due process to proceed," he added.

DAP lawmaker Lim Lip Eng said Lokman should respect the judiciary instead of making malicious comments.

He argued that the judiciary is now independent of the executive under the Pakatan Harapan government.

Lim pointed out that Lokman's statement comes in the wake of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi casting aspersions on the Johor Bahru Magistrate's Court's decision to acquit a woman of a reckless driving charge in connection with an accident which claimed the lives of eight teenage cyclists.

"What is Umno's hidden agenda by trying to discredit the courts?” he asked.

"Is it Umno's plan to shatter people's confidence in our judiciary and throw our country into chaos, with the ultimate aim of paralysing the Harapan government?

"Stern action must be taken against Lokman, Zahid and those who attempt to undermine our judiciary," Lim added. - Mkini