KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)'s probe against lawyers Rosli Dahlan and Chetan Jethwani and their respective law firms is still ongoing.
This was despite the graft buster's move to halt the bid to obtain documents related to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) US$6.5 billion bond settlement between Goldman Sachs and the Malaysian government.
On Oct 11, the MACC filed the application to compel Rosli, Chetan and their firms Rosli Dahlan Savarana Partnership (RDS) and Chetan Jethwani & Co (CJ & Co) to surrender the impugned documents.
The duo were suspected of accepting bribes and receiving proceeds from unlawful activities in the settlement between the Malaysian government with Ambank and Goldman Sachs regarding 1MDB.
At two separate courts today, MACC deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat told High Court Judges Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin and K. Muniandy that at this juncture, the anti-graft body did not require the documents.
"We made the applications to obtain the documents from both respondents.
"It was on the basis to get the documents and that was all.
"We are withdrawing the applications because at this stage, we do not need the documents, just for this case.
"However, investigations against both the respondents are proceeding. We do not need to reveal the level of investigations," said Mahadi.
Both High Courts allowed MACC's withdrawal applications.
During the proceedings, Muniandy also allowed the application by counsel M. Puravelan, representing RDS, for all cause papers linked to the firm to be non-accessible to third parties.
Chetan and CJ & Co were represented by counsel Teh See Khoon.
Harvinderjit Singh appeared for Rosli.
In the settlement process, RDS was the law firm representing 1MDB, while CJ & Co acted on behalf of Goldman Sachs.
On Oct 27, Rosli sought to have the application dismissed on grounds that the documents are not exclusively held by his firm.
He asserted that most of these documents originated from and were currently in the possession and control of 1MDB, which falls under the Finance Ministry.
In a statement after proceedings, Rosli said all these shenanigans against his firm him must stop.
"There is still much to be done to recover the losses from the 1MDB scandal.
"For the sake of the country, the Finance Ministry and agencies of the taskforce must behave rationally and not jeopardise the country's interest by making irresponsible statements and allegations that can be capitalised by the counterparties," he said.
He added he remained committed to render all assistance needed by the government to resolve the 1MDB fiasco and erase this shameful episode from the financial history of the country.