IT was disgraceful that Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Idrus Harun chose to have meetings with fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho despite the latter’s key role on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal which saw Malaysia losing over RM50 bil, said the DAP.
“Unless Idrus gives a full account of this travesty, he is unfit to be AG. Plus, by appearing to be okay to cut a deal with Low would be no different from absolving the latter of his crimes in the 1MDB financial scandal.
“Not only will Malaysia be subject to shame, the corrupt will view this as a way to escape punishment merely by surrendering a part of their ill-gotten gains.
“With Malaysia’s position in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index declining to the lowest level of 62 this year from 57 last year, this would surely erode Malaysia’s already poor corruption standing even further,” its chairperson Lim Guan Eng said, in a statement.
Last week, The Edge reported that Low had offered RM1.5 bil to the Government to settle the charges against him. Former AG, Tan Sri Apandi Ali had represented him on the matter.
“I was approached by Kobre & Kim from Washington DC, seeking my assistance to arrange for a meeting with the AG of Malaysia, at the end of May 2022. I arranged a series of meetings, whereby, representatives from Kobre & Kim came to Malaysia,” Apandi had stated, adding he was present in the meetings which took place at the AG’s offices.
The meeting involved Idrus, an officer from the AGC and a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) official with the executives from Kobre & Kim. The meetings took place at the AG’s offices.
While the meetings “looked positive”, Apandi said it was later cancelled.
Was it approved by the PM?
On that note, Lim urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to inform the public on whether Idrus’ actions were known to him or otherwise.
“Did the meetings receive green light from the Prime Minister? Apparently key ministries are also shocked by the expose. If that is the case, did Idrus making his own decision to meet Low’s representatives?” the former finance minister asked.
Lim then urged Ismail Sabri to explain the matter to the public so as to not jeopardise ongoing action not only against those responsible in the 1MDB scandal but its assets recovery.
“But any case, Idrus has chosen to discuss things with Low instead of nabbing him, as legally required.
“And I wonder whether the AG had advised Low to surrender himself to the Malaysian authorities,” the Bagan MP remarked. – July 18, 2022
