KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull’s public outburst that he was threatened and harassed in the course of investigating the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case might well jeopardise the current investigation into the issue.
Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament Ramkarpal Singh said such statements by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief could be taken by some to suggest that his impartiality has been compromised.
“Shukri Abdull ought to know better than to publicly claim that he was threatened and harassed as a result of investigating the 1MDB scandal in 2015. In a press conference yesterday (Tuesday), Shukri had said, amongst others, that he was stalked overseas and received bullets in the mail as he had been aggressively investigating the said scandal.
While I sympathise with his plight, Shukri must be aware that such public statements can jeopardise the current investigations into 1MDB which he now helms as it may be suggested that his impartiality has been compromised as his investigations now may be related to the harassment he claimed to have experienced in the past,” said Ramkarpal.
Such a suggestion, he said, is serious as it can potentially lead to a miscarriage of justice in the event parties are charged in relation to the said matter in the future on the grounds that the investigations into it were biased as this would be a serious breach of natural justice which any accused person is entitled to.
“In the circumstances, I strongly urge Shukri to stop such public outbursts and lodge the necessary police reports for the necessary action to be taken pertaining to his complaints.
“The current investigations into the 1MDB scandal by the MACC cannot be seen to be tainted in any way as the suspects thereto have every right to be fairly investigated and must not be deprived of such right,” he said.
On Tuesday, Shukri in a press conference claimed that he was threatened and harassed as a result of investigating the 1MDB scandal in 2015. He said he was also stalked overseas and received bullets in the mail.
Shukri, together with former Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, are co-chairing a special team set up to probe the 1MDB issue.
Meanwhile, Ramkarpal also urged Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali to resign voluntarily in light of MACC’s revelation’s that a Saudi prince whom former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak claimed had given him RM2.6 billion as a donation, admitted to donating the money but could not provide relevant documents to support his claim.
Ramkarpal said the revelation was in stark contrast with the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) claim that the said sum was diverted from 1MDB.
“Both the said versions contradict each other and the failure of the said prince to support his claim with solid proof particularly when such a huge sum was involved raises doubts as to whether such a claim is genuine.”
Apandi, in a press conference on Jan 26, 2016, had declared that the said RM2.6 billion was a donation from the Saudi royal family and cleared Najib of any wrongdoing as a result.
“In light of the above, it is likely that Apandi would be required to assist in the current investigations into the said RM2.6 billion claim by providing a statement to the authorities particularly in relation to his prior investigations into the same.
“As a former Federal Court judge, Apandi is well aware that it would be highly embarrassing for him to assist in such investigations as a sitting AG and as such, he must resign forthwith.”
Ramkarpal said Apandi’s resignation would enable Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the appointment of a new AG under Article 145(1) of the Federal Constitution.
“The new appointment must be done urgently in light of the many cases that are being reopened for investigations for which, the advise of the AG to the government is crucial.
“I have said before that Apandi has overstayed his welcome an
d must resign. It is the honourable thing to do and must be done now without any further delay.”