Former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has reinforced his decision to dismiss Apandi Ali from his position as attorney-general in 2018, following the Federal Court's rejection of Apandi's appeal in his defamation suit against Lim Kit Siang. Dr. Mahathir's stance comes in light of the unanimous agreement among all seven judges involved in the case that Apandi's primary failure lay in his execution of duties as attorney-general.
Dr. Mahathir's assertion comes as a response to the recent apex court ruling and the sentiments expressed by judges throughout the legal proceedings. He underscores that the judiciary's stance reaffirms the correctness of his government's action in terminating Apandi's tenure as attorney-general.
Apandi's legal battle didn't end with his termination. He pursued legal action against the government, naming Dr. Mahathir as a defendant, alleging wrongful termination and casting aspersions on his reputation. Dr. Mahathir reveals his disagreement with the government's decision in 2022 to settle Apandi's suit, which reportedly involved substantial damages, emphasizing his stance on the matter.
The dismissal of Apandi's appeal by the Federal Court was grounded in Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat's assertion that the questions raised lacked novelty and did not warrant further review. The decision also saw Lim Kit Siang being awarded RM30,000 in costs, marking a significant turn in the legal battle.
Dr. Mahathir recalls the findings of the Court of Appeal from the previous year, highlighting Apandi's actions during his tenure. Despite being vested with the authority to direct investigations and prosecute without bias, Apandi allegedly engaged in efforts to obstruct investigations into the 1MDB scandal. The abrupt halt to the investigation raised suspicions of a cover-up, further eroding public trust.
The Court of Appeal's judgment also pointed out Apandi's failure to substantiate claims of not aiding Najib Razak in the scandal. These revelations, coupled with the judiciary's stance, solidify Dr. Mahathir's conviction regarding the correctness of Apandi's termination as attorney-general.
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