A PKR lawmaker has urged the government to take immediate action to ensure the independence and accountability of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
This is in light of recent allegations of interference by the graft buster in light of a leaked letter accusing Justice Datuk Mohd Nazlan Ghazali of violating the Judges’ Code of Ethics in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
It was previously alleged that a leaked letter sent by the MACC to Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat did not follow proper protocol and acted inappropriately to influence the outcome of the trial.
“These allegations have raised serious concerns about the separation of powers and the need for reforms to ensure that justice is not compromised,” PKR Penang chief of legal bureau and public complaints Jason Ong Khan Lee noted.
“While Mohd Nazlan has stated that he was not influenced by anyone and that his judgment was based solely on the evidence presented in court, the allegations of interference have cast serious aspersions and doubt on our institutions of government.”
Furthermore, Ong who is also Kebun Bunga state assemblyman acknowledged that Najib was found guilty by not one judge but a total of nine judges.
“Surely, they cannot all be wrong! Additionally, Najib also lost his judicial review on the SRC case with the Federal Courtruling 4-1 that there was no prejudice or miscarriage of justice in his case,” he pointed out.
Greater transparency
To ensure the independence and accountability of the MACC, Ong said one possible solution is to place the commission under the purview of the Parliament rather than the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure greater transparency and to prevent any future interference.
He also urged a review of the protocols and procedures governing the MACC’s interactions with the judiciary to prevent any breaches of protocol.
“The allegations of interference in the SRC International case highlight the importance of a robust and independent judiciary and the separation of powers. We must take action to ensure that justice is not compromised in any way, shape, or form,” he stated.
“The public must have confidence in the fairness and impartiality of Malaysia’s judicial system. We urge the Malaysian government to address these issues urgently and take steps to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.
“We also call on the MACC to cooperate fully with any investigations into the matter.” – April 10, 2023
Main pic credit: The Edge Markets
