Raja Rozela Raja Toran, who was a lead prosecutor in the Yayasan Akalbudi corruption case of Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, applied for early retirement back on April 3.
Attorney-General Idrus Harun revealed this in today's press statement over media reports regarding the senior prosecutor being allegedly dropped from the ongoing graft trial, which attracted several questions from opposition politicians.
He said the decision to replace Raja Rozela (above) with senior prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to head the prosecution team in the graft case has been done by taking into account multiple factors and proper consideration.
"Raja Rozela applied for early retirement on April 3, 2023. The application was greenlighted and will take effect on Nov 1, 2023. Furthermore, Raja Rozela had applied for leave-before-retirement beginning Aug 30, 2023.
“Dusuki was chosen to be the new leader for the prosecution team against Zahid due to his vast experience of nearly 30 years as deputy public prosecutor,” Idrus added.
The government’s top lawyer said that Dusuki had conducted various high-profile court cases such as the one involving the Sulu intrusion in Lahad Datu.
Idrus said in light of Zahid’s criminal trial already set for resumption on Aug 21 until December this year, then it is imperative to appoint a new prosecution team leader.
“The decision was made properly to ensure the prosecution of Zahid is not jeopardised as well as ensure the Attorney-General’s Chambers can uphold justice, in line with the attorney-general’s powers under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution,” he added.
Article 145 deals with the AG’s power to commence, conduct, and discontinue criminal proceedings in court. - Mkini
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