KUALA LUMPUR: A DAP lawmaker reiterated his stance that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report did not implicate Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) issue.
Dr Tan Seng Giaw, who is also PAC deputy chairman, affirmed that there is nothing in the 106-page report that fingered the Prime Minister of any wrongdoing in the 1MDB matter.
“It is not mentioned,” said Dr Tan when asked on whether the PAC report alluded to Najib being involved in the matter.
“One needs to produce evidence (to show someone being involved in wrongdoing) as that is the (principle) of rule of law (in Malaysia).
“Under (the principle of) separation of power (between the executive, legislative and judiciary arms of a country), only a judge could make the decision on whether a person is guilty or not. It is not you or I,” said Dr Tan.
Dr Tan also criticised certain quarters who relied on online portal Sarawak Report for evidence allegedly naming Najib as being involved in the 1MDB issue.
He pointed out that what the portal published cannot be considered evidence in the matter.
“Perception is not evidence,” he said.
“Under the rule of law, a person is innocent until proven guilty.
“In terms of rule of law, one needs to investigate further to find out what really happened. You cannot just say Najib is guilty,” he said.
In April 8, 2006, Tan was reported saying that Najib should not be held responsible for the 1MDB issue.
He said that this is because Najib was not directly involved with its management.
DAP had on Monday announced that they were dropping Dr Tan, who is the Kepong parliamentary incumbent, from contesting the seat in the 14th General Election. Instead, Lim Lip Eng, who was Segambut MP, will now contest the Kepong Seat.