The Malaysian Bar has declined to comment on the recent revelation made by a former Attorney-General implicating a former Federal Court judge of “arranging policemen and a magistrate” to arrest Datuk Seri Najib Razak while in office.
Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, on his Facebook page on June 10, alleged former Federal Court judge turned lawyer Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram said he “arranged for the police in Putrajaya to do what is necessary” and “arranged for a magistrate to issue the remand order” when discussing the arrest of Najib who was the sitting Prime Minister.
The meeting took place at Apandi’s home in January 2018 and Sri Ram was accompanied by a “young Chinese lawyer” who Apandi later named as Tey Jun Ren.
Malaysian Bar president Salim Bashir, when contacted by Twentytwo13, said: “Let the due process take its course.
“So far, no comments … We see how the thing develops in the future.”
Tey, when contacted on June 11, declined comment. Earlier the same day, Sri Ram also declined comment when he was approached by local dailies.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was implicated after Apandi claimed Sri Ram said he was sent by the former prime minister to meet him, has not commented on the posting.
Those close to Dr Mahathir told Twentytwo13 on June 11 that the former prime minister doesn’t see the need to respond to Apandi’s Facebook posting, adding “it was something between Apandi and Sri Ram.”
While Apandi’s revelation has turned into a political circus, a dark cloud hovers over the Malaysian criminal justice system.
It remains unclear if the Attorney-General’s Chambers will review Sri Ram’s role or if the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will be called in to investigate Apandi’s claims.
Efforts to get comments from the MACC regarding Apandi’s allegations proved futile.
Sri Ram was appointed by former Attorney-General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas to lead the prosecution in several high-profile cases involving Najib.
Apandi was appointed A-G during Najib’s time in office but was replaced by Thomas after Pakatan Harapan won the 14th general election in May 2018.
The Umno-led Barisan Nasional coalition suffered an embarrassing defeat in the said election, following which Najib was implicated in several high-profile cases, namely SRC International and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
