MACC probes CoA judge Nazlan over allegation of unexplained money

KUALA LUMPUR – Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali, who convicted and sentenced former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on corruption-related charges in 2020, is reportedly being investigated over allegations of unexplained money in his account.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki was quoted by The Star as saying that an investigation paper had been opened after reports were lodged.

“Yes, we have started our investigation. The procedure is to investigate when a report has been officially lodged.

“We opened an investigation paper because there were reports lodged, not because claims were made on portals or social media,” he was quoted as saying.

Azam said the investigation is still in the early stage and that the commission’s officers will decide issues like documents to search for and individuals to summon for questioning in due course.

In a statement on Thursday, the Palace of Justice Chief Registrar’s Office said that Nazlan had lodged a police report against an article by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin that alleged over RM1 million was deposited into his bank account by fugitive financier Low Taek Jho.

It said that the police report was made against the false and baseless accusations directed at Nazlan, claiming it was aimed at undermining the judge’s professional reputation and the judiciary system.

“This office takes such allegations and comments seriously and reminds the public that any accusation against the judiciary with intentions to affect any ongoing trial violates the principle of sub judice,” read the statement.

It further urged police to expedite investigations and preserve the confidence of the people in the country’s judiciary system, while ensuring the administration of justice runs smoothly.

Nazlan was the presiding judge in Najib’s SRC International trial at the Kuala Lumpur High Court that commenced in April 2019 and delivered the guilty verdict in July 2020.

He was also the judge who convicted and sentenced the Pekan MP on charges relating to funds belonging to SRC International in July 2020.

An appeal against the conviction is pending before the Federal Court. – The Vibes, April 23, 2022