The members of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) operation and evaluation panel (PPO) are appointed based on the prime minister’s recommendation.
“If they decide to agree with AG, will they be called Najib's henchmen too?” asked BN strategic director Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
The minister fired a series of tweets on the matter in view of the raging debate on attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali’s decision not to press charges against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
MACC special operations division director Mohd Bahri Zin caused a stir when he said the commission would “most likely appeal” and described the cases as “straightforward”.
This appeared to contradict the AG’s claim that MACC admitted to not finding evidence of Najib committing corrupt practices in relation to the RM2.6 billion donation and SRC International’s RM42 million transferred into his personal bank accounts.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini quoted sources familiar with the investigations as claiming that MACC recommended three charges under Section 403 of the Penal Code.
MACC then disclosed that it would refer the matter to the PPO, but later pointed out that it is normal procedure and should not be construed as disagreeing with the AG.
Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman said the PPO’s terms of reference is that the panel cannot review cases which MACC had sent to the AG, and which the latter had decided on.
“It can only review MACC's decision not to pursue the case,” he tweeted.
Following this, the minister went on to cite how in the US, the attorney-general is acknowledged to be part of the cabinet.
“In UK, while the AG is independent, he/she is considered part of the executive. The AG is seated in the front bench (government side) in Parliament,” he said.
Since his decision to exonerate Najib, Apandi has come under intense criticism, with detractors accusing him of having been appointed for the sole purpose of covering up the scandals.
This is a charge which both the government and Apandi have denied.
Apandi was appointed as AG last July after the sudden removal of his predecessor Abdul Gani Patail on health grounds, just weeks after the Wall Street Journal and whistleblower website Sarawak Report exposed the transactions based on leaked documents from Malaysian investigators.
Najib has repeatedly denied abusing public funds for personal gain and blamed such accusations on those attempting to topple him.
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