Report: MACC stands by its statement on Riza’s plea bargain

The MACC has reportedly stood by its statement regarding a plea bargain on Riza Aziz’s money laundering charge, despite contradictory statements by former attorney-general Tommy Thomas.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki (photo) reportedly told Free Malaysia Today that a deputy public prosecutor involved in the case had told him that Thomas agreed to the plea bargain.

“This is an ongoing case in court, so whatever decision is made by the deputy public prosecutor.

“We inform the public about what’s happening. That’s all […]

“Without their statement and permission, we wouldn’t have made any kind of confirmation to the public. This is what we were informed.

“Never mind if the former AG wants to deny, that’s up to him. We stand by our statement,” he was quoted as saying.

Earlier today, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court granted a Riza (above) a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for money laundering involving US$248 million (RM1.08 billion) linked to 1MDB funds.

This is conditional on him returning foreign assets linked to the alleged crime that is worth an estimated US$107.3 million (RM465.3 million). Otherwise, charges may be reinstated against him.

Riza is the stepson of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

In a statement, the MACC had said Thomas (below) had agreed to the plea bargain, but Thomas reportedly denied this.

The Malaysian Insight quoted him saying that he was aware of representations made by Riza’s lawyers, and handed the documents to special prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram after perusing it.

Sri Ram, who was prosecuting the case against Riza, was reportedly told to examine the representations made by Riza’s lawyers, but as far as the prosecution was concerned, nothing happened after this.

“I resigned two and a half months ago and up to that point, there was no agreement to drop charges against Riza. So, it is wholly untrue and fabrication to say that I had agreed to the decision.

“I am terribly disappointed that the MACC had to make this false statement,” Thomas was quoted as saying. - Mkini