SEMENYIH: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said there is no need for a new Standard Operation Procedure involving sponsorship programmes for agencies under the Home Ministry.
In addressing the controversy the recent trip to Istanbul, Turkey by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun and 16 other high-ranking police officers, the Home Minister reiterated that he was the one who approved the working tripz
“Any persons or agencies (under the Home Ministry) wanted to go to overseas must get clearance either from the ministry’s secretary-general or the minister.
“As for this case, the letter written by the Inspector-General of Police over the trip was sent to me.
“Once, I received the letter, I have to make sure that there is no conflict of interest in the sense that the party sponsoring the trip is not involved in illegal gambling.
“The letter was the submitted in the sense that the trip would be sponsored by Malaysia Totalisator Board,” said Muhyiddin, who is also the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president.
On another matter, Muhyiddin said the ministry has yet to decide whether it will give protection to the sitting Court of Appeal judge Putrajaya has yet to decide whether it will provide protection for Court of Appeal judge Datuk Dr Hamid Sultan Abu Backer over his expose’ of alleged judicial misconduct.
“We have not yet reached that point.
“I think there is a need for the report to be filed by him (Hamid), which will enable the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and other agencies to pursue the case.
“From there on, we will see how important and serious is the case. Whether it is necessary to provide some form of protection.
“At the moment, I don't think I can answer that question,” said Muhyiddin.
In a 63-paged affidavit, Hamid revealed explosive and detailed information in relation to numerous incidences of judicial interference within the Malaysian judiciary, including allegation of judicial interference in the late Karpal Singh’s sedition appeal decision at the Court of Appeal.