KUALA LUMPUR – The deputy public prosecutor’s (DPP) retraction of a letter sent to the high court judge presiding over Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi's corruption trial, which was asking to expedite the case, raises more questions, an Umno official said.
Party information chief Shahril Hamdan also said it underscored the importance of separating the role of the attorney-general and public prosecutor.
“Why did the Attorney-General’s Chambers issue the letter to expedite the case on Umno’s president? If Umno leaders were previously accused of employing delay tactics, then is this a tactic employed by the prosecution to expedite the case?” he asked in a statement.
“We can accept the justification of the court that it is their prerogative to set the schedule for the proceedings as they are independent. But why is the prosecution attempting to influence the schedule of the proceedings?
“These comments in no way indicate that Umno wishes to interfere in matters of the court, nor is it asking for anyone to be freed. The question is why is the Attorney-General’s Chambers, which is acting as the prosecutor, requesting for a case to be expedited so easily?”' Shahril asked.
Earlier today, DPP Abdul Malik Ayob retracted a letter to trial judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, in which the prosecution asked that priority be given to Zahid’s graft trial involving Yayasan Akalbudi over Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial.
Sequerah is also presiding over Najib’s case.
Malik said the matter about the letter should be considered, but Sequerah said no one should dictate to the court.
Shahril said this episode further enforces Umno and Barisan Nasional’s call for the role of the attorney-general and public prosecutor to be separated.
He said even this was listed in Pakatan Harapan’s election manifesto in 2018, and was not fulfilled.
“The power of the attorney-general is prescribed in Article 145(3) of the federal constitution which accords to him the power to institute, conduct, or discontinue any proceedings for an offence, and this power is exercisable at his discretion.
“That is why there is a need to separate the power of the attorney-general and public prosecutor. People should not question Umno’s motives in asking for the same thing,” Shahril said. – The Vibes, August 30, 2022
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