KUALA LUMPUR: Projek Sama has urged Attorney General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh to disclose his written opinion regarding the partial pardon granted to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The reforms non-governmental organisation said Terriyudin should also issue a statement that affirms that his Chambers (A-GC) will pursue all three pending cases against Najib vigorously and diligently.
In the written statement, it said the AG should affirm that the A-GC will not seek a Discharge Amounting to Acquittal (DAA) or Discharge Not Amounting to Acquittal (DNAA) from the courts and will avoid any further mistakes that could lead to such outcomes.
"We are deeply concerned about the role Terrirudin played in the partial pardon of Najib.
"Not only because of the reductions in jail term and fine granted to one who still claims he is innocent of the charges he was found guilty of after due process, but also because of the likelihood that the A-GC may withdraw the pending charges against Najib, resulting in DAA or DNAA," it said in a statement today.
It expressed concerns about the comments made by politicians, citing the example that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed that he was not involved and that it was the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong's decision based on compassion and consideration of Najib's contribution to the nation.
This contradicted the Federal Territory Minister, Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who said that it was the Board's collective decision.
"Our call for public assurances by Terrirudin is further warranted because of the A-GC's track record.
"Teriyuddin made the application to the court, which resulted in the DNAA of Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi on 47 charges of corruption, despite a prima facie case having been proved against him.
"Najib and former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) former chief executive officer Arul Kanda Kandasamy were given a DAA in the High Court in the case of alleged tampering of the 1MDB audit report because the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case.
"Subsequently, the prosecution failed to file the required appeal document within the stipulated time, which resulted in the appeal against the DAA being dismissed by the Court of Appeal," it said.
It said that if Terrirudin is unwilling to give public assurance, the public will inevitably conclude that he agrees with Najib's claim that he has suffered injustice in court.
However, if he does agree with Najib, Terriyudin should tender his resignation, as it is only fair for his 'clients', Malaysians who believe no one should be above the law.
"A public assurance by Terrirudin, as demanded here, will help quell the flood of public anxiety that has arisen from the outcomes of cases against high profile individuals.
"To stop the rot, the Madani government must also expedite the separation of the office of AG and public prosecutor and free the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) from political interference.
"The government must cease wielding police investigations as a tool for quelling public expressions of anxiety, especially in cases involving high profile individuals," it said.
Meanwhile, it also called on the police to stop the harassment of former DAP leader Tony Pua and any other individuals or organisations who have commented on this matter.