Twentytwo13

Klang MP lodges police report, says ex-AG Apandi Ali ‘fabricated information, lied in office’

A Malaysian lawmaker has lodged a police report against former attorney-general Tan Sri Apandi Ali, alleging the latter had abused his powers to cover up investigations into SRC International and 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Klang MP Charles Santiago, who lodged the report at the South Klang police station earlier today, said Apandi had done so to exonerate former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“In a decision delivered on May 23 by High Court judge Justice Datuk Azimah Omar (in the case of Apandi Ali v Lim Kit Siang), it is evident that Apandi, who was the attorney-general of Malaysia from July 27, 2015 to June 4, 2018, had abused his powers by blatantly lying about the investigations into SRC International and 1MDB, with the intent to set Najib free from facing a trial,” said Santiago.

“In her judgment, Azimah noted that Apandi’s delegation ‘did not even meet, nor speak, to the alleged donor’, despite saying otherwise in a press conference on Jan 26, 2016. At the presser, Apandi claimed that he had sent a mission to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and had personally met the donor and recorded the donor’s personal confirmation of the ‘donation’. He then proceeded to clear Najib of all wrongdoings, confirming that the RM42 million in Najib’s account was a ‘donation’ from a Saudi prince.

“This is a blatant lie,” Santiago said.

He added that Azimah had further said that Apandi’s testimony, in admitting to adopting the donation narrative as a whole, and in preference to his delegation’s hearsay evidence in gross absence of direct evidence, exhibits a plain, disinterested, evasive, and disassociated attitude to investigate the donation further, preferring to simply depend on his own delegation’s word-of-mouth.

“Azimah, in her judgment, said Apandi was astoundingly indifferent, evasive, deceptive, and lackadaisical in pursuing the truth behind the fantastical donation.”

He added that the court also noted that although the special investigation team had recommended that the matter be fully investigated, Apandi had failed to do so, and instead, ordered the matter to be classified ‘NFA’ (no further action).

Najib was convicted by the High Court in the SRC International case and was sentenced to 12 years in jail, and fined RM210 million.

His final appeal is pending before the Federal Court.

“I hold the view that Apandi had fabricated information and lied while in office, leading to abuse of his powers as the principal legal advisor of the country.”

Santiago added that Apandi had fabricated evidence pursuant to Section 192 of the Penal Code, which is punishable under Section 193 at the material time.

“I lodged this police report so that investigations can commence against Apandi in this matter.”