Kuala Lumpur: DAP’s Lim Guan Eng has called on the attorney-general to provide a more detailed explanation on decisions made in several recent high-profile court cases.
The Bagan MP said a more thorough explanation was necessary as several parties, including the Malaysian Bar, were dissatisfied with the outcome of certain cases.
“The government must acknowledge that there are those who are still not satisfied. A detailed explanation will help them better understand the decisions by the attorney-general,” he said when debating the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review this morning.
While Lim did not identify these high-profile cases, the High Court’s decision to grant deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi a conditional discharge over his corruption charges drew flak, including from the Malaysian Bar.
The ruling on all of Zahid’s 47 corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering charges also renewed calls for the separation of the attorney-general’s office and that of the public prosecutor’s office to take place by 2024.
Apart from Zahid, former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin had his four charges of abusing his position to obtain bribes totalling RM232.5 million for Bersatu struck out last month.
Last week, the High Court used its revisionary powers to acquit and discharge Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin and his wife, Zizie Izette Samad, from charges of corruption over a RM150 million Felcra investment.
Lim also wanted the government to set a one-year deadline to separate the roles of the public prosecutor and the attorney-general.
“By setting a deadline, it would reassure people that there is an intention to implement reforms,” he said.
