Former attorney-general Abu Talib Othman today hit back at current AG Mohamed Apandi Ali who claimed he was merely following “his master’s footsteps” in clearing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak of any wrongdoings linked to state-investor 1MDB.

“If he (Apandi) was ‘just following his master’s footsteps’ then he would not have been in the confused state of mind when he made his decision and ordered the MACC to close an on-going investigation.

“In the current circumstances, his decision had raised more questions on allegations against the PM and the state of investigations relating to activities of 1MDB and persons connected with the company,” Abu Talib told Malaysiakini .

Abu Talib said this in response to Apandi who in an interview with Sin Chew Daily yesterday defended his decision to close the cases against Najib.

Apandi said his actions were based on what he learnt from Abu Talib , who was AG from 1980 to 1993.

"I am just following my master's footstep. Now he said I couldn't do that. I am confused.

"I hope he can come to see me so that I can offer my explanation," said Apandi who was responding to Abu Talib’s earlier criticism that he has no authority to direct MACC to close its files.

Abu Talib said he cannot recall any case in which he directed an investigating authority to stop its probe.

“Perhaps Apandi can refresh my memory,” he said, adding that it has always been his practice while in office to provide necessary assistance to investigating authorities.

Abu Talib said such assistance could be in the form of identifying applicable laws related to an investigation, and clarifying inconsistencies in statements recorded from witnesses.

“It was also my direction not to frame a criminal charge on any suspect unless the prosecution has sufficient credible and admissible evidence to justify prosecuting him or her,” he said.

Apandi’s decision to clear Najib from criminal wrongdoings in the RM2.6 billion donation and RM42 million SRC International cases prompted outcry over possible conflict of interest.

Investigations on 1MDB by several foreign authorities are on-going, but Najib and 1MDB having consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Apandi earlier also warned against conflating the RM2.6 billion and SRC cases with 1MDB.

SRC International was a subsidiary of 1MDB. It is directly-owned by the Finance Ministry.

Related stories

Ex-AG Abu Talib: I am not answerable to Apandi

We're truth seekers, not saboteurs, journalists tell AG

AG must uphold freedom of info, not freedom to hide

Rafizi launches petition urging sultans to re-open Najib probe

Tightening OSA grip will lead to dictatorship, Ambiga says

MACC adviser: Probe Saudi minister's 'RM2.6b is investment' claim

Mukhriz wants sultans to summon 1MDB investigators

Punishing the messenger, sparing the wrongdoer

Rafizi: AG has no credibility to propose OSA amendments

OSA can't hide gov't dirty laundry forever, AG told

Will King Abdullah's cat be the next possible donor?