Don’t be a political tool, MACC told after probe into CoA judge

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been urged not to act as a political tool to certain parties after it initiated an investigation against Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.

Perak PKR Youth exco member and lawyer Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim said the anti-graft body has violated the doctrine of separation of powers long practiced in Malaysia.

Kamil, who is vying for PKR Youth deputy chief post in the coming party polls, said MACC’s action is not only seen as an executive interference in the judiciary but also risks leaving a negative perception and eroding public trust towards the legal institution.

“As one of the country’s main agencies, MACC ought to be more careful and understand how vital it is to ensure that any action taken does not affect the basic structure of separation of powers,” he said in a statement today.

“Furthermore, the said judge is involved in deciding a high-profile case previously, in which the case is now being heard in the Federal Court.

“I urge MACC to refrain from being seen as acting as a political tool to greedy leaders and to return to conducting its duty with full transparency and trust.”

Nazlan was in charge of overseeing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s SRC International corruption case at the high court and had sentenced the Umno leader to 12 years in prison and RM210 million in fine in July 2020.

Najib is currently appealing the case at the apex court after the Court of Appeal, in December last year, upheld the high court’s verdict.

It was reported on Saturday that MACC had opened an investigation paper against Nazlan over allegations of unexplained money in his account following a report lodged. 

The probe has sparked a massive wave of indignation among legal and judicial circles, with senior figures characterising it as nothing short of an attack on the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. 

Kamil stressed that MACC should be acting in the best interest of the rakyat and not those in power.

“This is a question of integrity involving a government agency. I worry that the judges in this country will continue to be haunted by such pressure and threat from external parties.” – The Vibes, April 27, 2022