Senior lawyer Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos says former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin can be investigated for hiding a crime if he didn’t report that he was asked to interfere in the judicial system.
On Aug 4, Muhyiddin claimed that certain people were unhappy that he had refused to entertain their demands, including to interfere in the judicial process, to get charges against several individuals dropped. He had then said he would not sacrifice his principles and go against his oath of office and would be loyal to the King and protect and uphold the Federal Constitution.
During his final address as prime minister on national television yesterday, Muhyiddin had said: “I will never be in cahoots with kleptocrats, intervene in the independence of the judiciary, and turn my back against the Federal Constitution, just to remain in power.”
Although Muhyiddin didn’t name any names, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak posted on Facebook yesterday that he had instructed his lawyers to initiate a defamation suit against Muhyiddin. Najib also said he would apply the courts to take action against Muhyiddin and (Bersatu information chief) Wan Saiful Wan Jan, for contempt.
Najib is among several political leaders who were slapped with criminal charges, including money laundering, abuse of power and criminal breach of trust.
Jahaberdeen said people would continue to question the independence of the judicial system if Muhyiddin’s claims were not investigated.
He fears that if the claims that court cases could be “settled” go unchallenged, then the public would lose trust in the entire legal process.
“Since Muhyiddin had stated this before, he will be seen as an irresponsible citizen, unbecoming of an ex-PM, if he does not lodge a police report,” said Jahaberdeen.
“It is important that he assists the police in their investigations to safeguard our government and judiciary’s image in the eyes of the public and the international community.
“Furthermore, he must know, or should be advised, that he is obligated to lodge a police report if someone had asked him to interfere in the judiciary, which is a criminal act.
“If he does not lodge a police report, then he can be investigated, under the penal code, for hiding a crime.”
This is not the first time Jahaberdeen had spoken on allegations that cases “could be fixed”.
In June, two senior lawyers were linked to messages that hinted that court decisions could be influenced.
Last year, former Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Al implicated lawyer and former Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram of “arranging policemen and a magistrate” to arrest Najib.
Jahaberdeen had warned then that without closure, the allegations against the judiciary and the legal profession would go undefended and this would adversely impact the public’s perception and confidence in the legal system.
Here are Twentytwo13‘s news highlights.
KING SAYS IT AGAIN: STOP POLITICKING AND FOCUS ON FIGHTING COVID-19
PKR chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s wish is for the political parties to work together to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Anwar said this was conveyed by the Agong, who met political leaders earlier today to discuss the appointment of a new prime minister.
“Tuanku began with the advice that the country is in political turmoil and that we should unite to face the catastrophe of Covid-19, and also the economic recession,” said Anwar.
“The issue is not only about the appointment of a new prime minister, but what is important, as stressed by the Agong and his deputy (Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah), is to come up with a new political landscape that is more peaceful and equitable for the people.”
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun has requested all MPs to declare their endorsement for the new prime minister by 4pm tomorrow.
The Agong, in upholding the concept of syura (consultation) could meet with the Malay rulers to discuss the new political landscape before appointing the new prime minister.
NUMBER OF COVID-19 PATIENTS SEEKING TREATMENT AT HTAR KLANG DROPS
The number of daily admissions of patients seeking treatment for Covid-19 at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang dropped by over 50 per cent throughout the week.
The hospital had been receiving about 400 Covid-19 cases daily, but the number decreased to around 170, during the same period.
Malaysia today recorded 19,631 new Covid-19 cases. Selangor continued to top the list with 5,753 cases, while Kuala Lumpur registered 1,765 cases.
Separately, Datuk Dr Asmayani Khalib was appointed deputy Health director-general (medical), effective today.
Dr Asmayani replaced Datuk Dr Norhizan Ismail, who retired.
FOUR CHARGED WITH INSULTING MELAKA GOVERNOR
Four men claimed trial to the improper use of communications network facilities to retweet a photo and text that allegedly insulted Melaka Governor Tun Mohd Ali Rustam.
The four – Mohd Hermy Rahim, 34, Muhamad Ali Aswad Asngadu, 28, Mohd Hafizudin Rahmad, 36, and Ahmad Zaki Yamani Zainon, 49 – were charged with committing the offence under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act, 1998. The offence was allegedly committed on Twitter on July 28-29.
The offending tweet consisted of three question marks above a picture of Mohd Ali visiting the kampung gymnasium in Jasin, where Filipina Hidilyn Diaz trained before winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Sessions judge Maziah Joary Mohd Tajudin allowed bail of RM5,000 each and set Sept 22 for mention.
SELANGOR COPS ARREST 17, SEIZE DRUGS WORTH RM4 MILLION
Selangor police busted two gangs, arrested 17 people and seized drugs worth RM4 million earlier this month.
Selangor police chief Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed said they arrested seven suspects in Batu Caves, Gombak and Selayang on Aug 6, and recovered 97 packages containing 100.74kg of suspected methamphetamines.
Separately, state police also arrested another two men and two women in Ampang on Aug 8. They seized 7.35kg of suspected methamphetamines and two vehicles in the parking lot of a supermarket.
Arjunaidi said the arrest of the four, led police to the arrest of five men and a woman in six other locations in Penang.
He added the groups were not linked to one another and that the suspects, aged between 26 and 65, had been remanded for seven days.
KL AMONG TOP 10 TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION HUBS IN ASIA-PACIFIC
KPMG’s Global Technology Industry Survey ranked Kuala Lumpur ninth among the top 10 cities in the Asia-Pacific that would be a leading technology innovation hub over the next four years.
The survey involved more than 800 industry leaders. KPMG said the result was based on several factors at the local level, such as infrastructure and demographics, and at the macro level, such as the regulatory environment and potential national tax incentives.
The survey showed that 61 per cent of industry insiders believed the pandemic had changed their opinions of which cities would become leading technology innovation hubs.
