The government and newly minted Attorney-General (AG) Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh have been urged to impose a moratorium on applications of discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) on high-profile cases.
Electoral reform coalition Bersih asserted that the judiciary should be allowed to determine whether those who are accused are guilty or innocent - without any interference from the AG or “his political master”.
“This includes other high-profile cases involving politicians, namely (former prime minister) Najib's (Abdul Razak) ongoing and outstanding cases, his wife Rosmah Mansor's ongoing cases, Lim Guan Eng, Syed Saddiq (Syed Abdul Rahman) and other cases,” it said, in a statement today.
This came after the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) withdrew all 47 corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The DNAA granted to Zahid opens the possibility of the Umno president being recharged in the future if prosecutors wish to revisit the matter.
Further, Bersih also urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration and Ahmad Terrirudin to ensure the AGC’s appeal on Zahid’s foreign visa system case, which carried 40 charges of bribery, would not be thrown out conveniently on some technical grounds.
It also reiterated calls for Zahid to be recharged soon after a new investigation on the Yayasan Akalbudi case is completed.
Bersih added that the AGC’s credibility had been tarnished by its many decisions to apply for DNAA or discharge amounting to an acquittal (DAA) for cases involving politicians, which includes Lim and former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman.
“A prime minister who endorses such a decision is simply endorsing selective impunity.
“If Najib was jailed last year because he was out of power but walks free tomorrow because his party is in power, then the message to Malaysians is loud and clear – you’re innocent until you lose power, and regain innocence when you’re back in power,” it added.
Eroding public confidence
Such a scenario, Bersih said, will destroy public confidence in the country’s political system and produce political cynicism, as well as bring on disastrous implications.
“The implication is that any criminal who wants to get away should just win the next general election and change the AG.
“Such a Malaysia, where innocence hinges on power and election replaces court in deciding justice, would become an international pariah and prime target for economic colonisation.
“Najib, who looted Malaysia, must remain in jail for his SRC International case and be tried fairly for the remaining cases.
“If this red line is breached, Malaysians must be ready to stand up and be counted on the streets to defend our beloved Malaysia.”
While it commended Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said’s announcement of setting up two special task forces to expedite the separation of roles between the AG and public prosecutor, Bersih believes the measure should be completed within a year and not be delayed on technical or financial ground. - Mkini
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