FORMER Federal Territory minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor was given a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) in his RM1 million corruption case. This came as a shock to all Malaysians with a conscience and sense of righteousness. The DPP who has been prosecuting since September 2018 gave the reason for new developments in the case and had received instructions from higher-ups to seek a halt in the proceedings.
Seeking a halt to the proceedings where the case has already reached the defence stage is totally unacceptable. In the first place the prosecution should and would have solid evidence to secure a conviction before proceeding with the charge.
Hence, we demand to know what latest new developments that could be. We also demand to know who gave the instruction to halt the proceedings.
There have been two earlier corruption cases of public interest where the accused were given discharge by the courts, i.e. the Riza Aziz 1MDB case, who is also the stepson of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman in the timber concessions/money laundering case. No explicit reasons were given to the public for both the discharges, which left ordinary people angry at the authorities.
There is already a general feeling of distrust against the investigating authorities and the courts, especially when dealing with corruption cases that involve politicians in the ruling parties.
With the discharge awarded to Tengku Adnan, the people are also asking whether the remaining court cases against five senior Umno politicians, i.e. Najib Razak, Zahid Hamidi, Isa Samad, Bung Mokhtar and Azeez Abdul Rahim will proceed to conclusion, or will also end in an abrupt discharge too.
The people have had enough of corruption and scandals that have taken place in high offices and want to see the culprits prosecuted in court proceedings in their entirety. Halfhearted prosecution and negotiation with the accused for a discharge halfway through the proceedings only left a bad taste in the mouths of the people, Patriot members included.
Our country has recently been saddled with several corruption cases involving officials from the Immigration Department, Registration Department and even the Police Department. We hear reports involving corruption cases everyday.
Patriot takes an even more serious view on corruption cases involving political leaders. It is disgusting to see politicians mired with serious corruption charges freely mingling with the public. It is also a hideous sight to see a convicted politicians allowed to make public speeches and accorded VIP treatment. It is shameful, repugnant, disgusting, horrid, all in the superlative meaning. It is also no wonder that the Washington Post previously said, “Malaysia is the world champion of corruption”. – The Vibes, December 8, 2020
Brig Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji is Patriot president
