JOHOR BARU – Lawyer Manjeet Singh Dhillon has asked the police to throw a report filed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the trash, claiming that its contents may be in contempt of court.
The report in question is understood to be against investigative journalist Lalitha Kunaratnam, who is currently defending a defamation suit by the anti-graft body’s embattled chief Tan Sri Azam Baki.
“This relates to the latest shenanigans by whoever in the MACC, in his ‘wisdom’ or directions, elected to lodge a fresh report over the pending Azam Baki-Lalitha Kunaratnam matter.
“Both that ‘wisdom’ or directions are misplaced and out of order,” Manjeet said in a statement today.
Making an assumption that the report was filed by the MACC, Manjeet contends that the unnamed report maker has attempted to usurp the role of the judge – a move he described as “arrogant”.
Urging for the harassment to stop, the lawyer representing Lalitha said that the judicial process must take place without any interference.
Manjeet said that the MACC and its officers should proceed cautiously, as their actions could amount to contempt of court.
He reminded that Azam and Lalitha have legal representation in court and that the lawyers should handle all judicial matters.
“Neither the MACC nor the MACC officer who had lodged the report are Azam Baki’s solicitors.
“The MACC does not have a right to comment on or usurp the powers of any trial judge or ventilate prematurely or pre-emptively on the likely evidence in the trial.
“In the interim, ACP Beh Eng Lai, the Sentul district police chief (where the police report was filed), should consign the latest MACC report to its rightful place: the nearest dustbin.” – The Vibes, February 11, 2022
