Former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun testified in court that top leaders of the Pakatan Harapan government in 2018—including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and the late Tun Daim Zainuddin—had questioned police over the delay in charging Datuk Seri Najib Razak and others involved in the 1MDB scandal.
Fuzi, who served as the IGP from 2017 until his retirement in 2019, appeared as the 19th defence witness in Najib's ongoing trial. He told the High Court that these three figures each requested briefings from police on the status of the 1MDB investigations. However, he firmly denied any interference in the Attorney General's (AG) decision-making process.
According to Fuzi, briefings were conducted for Dr Mahathir on May 15 and again in July 2018; for Muhyiddin on July 23; and for Daim on August 9. These sessions were led by ACP R. Rajagopal, the lead investigating officer on the 1MDB case. Fuzi explained that while all three leaders expressed frustration over the lack of charges against Najib and 1MDB executives, they respected the independence of the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), led by then AG Tan Sri Tommy Thomas.
Dr Mahathir, in particular, had personally called Fuzi in July 2018 to express dissatisfaction with the slow pace of legal action. Fuzi clarified that he had informed the Prime Minister that investigations were ongoing and that delays were due to the need for foreign evidence via mutual legal assistance agreements.
When questioned by Najib’s lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Fuzi confirmed that the concerns raised by Mahathir, Muhyiddin, and Daim all centered on Najib and 1MDB’s top leadership. However, he reiterated that the decision to press charges was entirely up to the Attorney General.
The prosecution also asked Fuzi whether these briefings resulted in any pressure or interference. Fuzi responded that no decisions were made during the briefings and affirmed that the Attorney General acted independently in pursuing charges.
Fuzi added that some suspects in the 1MDB case who had fled Malaysia were proposed for charges by the police, and that those still in the country were designated as prosecution witnesses against Najib.
Information source: Malay Mail
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