YOURSAY | ‘Obviously, he thinks he can fool the people into believing that he can be trusted…'

AG drops sedition charges against law prof Azmi Sharom

James TCLow: It is music to my ears that Universiti Malaya law professor Azmi Sharom is freed of the frivolous sedition charge.

But to state that article 145(3) of the constitution gives the attorney-general (AG) 'exclusive right' to prosecute or not to prosecute anybody, makes me vomit.

Has our constitution granted him the status of a god? Or should his revered status be spelt 'the other way round'?

Vijay47: How convenient that it was the use of your renowned discretion that led you to dropping the charges against Azmi.

So the grateful rakyat are supposed to be assured that such is your impartiality, that your discretion like Damocles' sword could swing both ways, in favour of the government as much as those opposing it?

It was a cheap crude tactic that may have worked in earlier days when leaders and administrators were held in high regard, but your decision to set Azmi free has nothing to do with discretion, you had no choice in the matter as there simply were no grounds on which a charge could stand.

In fact, had you proceeded with court action, it would have been an abuse of your, yes, discretion and would have only earned you further condemnation.

Your change of heart may be an awareness that your arrogant days of believing in some sacrosanct omnipotence may be fast ending as also the rule of those you take orders from.

Sorry, AG Mohamed Apandi Ali, you have miles to go before you sleep.

MinahBulat: Why make such a big deal? Are Malaysians supposed to rally around you and cheer?

Indeed, the case against Azmi had no basis at all and it was a non-starter. Compare this to the 1MDB case where the evidence is overwhelming. Your discretion in the 1MDB saga is questionable.

Money Talks: The powers of the AG can never be absolute and the law does not say so. The exercise of the AG's powers is an administrative act which should be subject to review by the courts.

Abasir: The AG obviously thinks he can fool the people into believing that he can be trusted to be judicious and even-handed.

Clearly this is a contemptible attempt to exonerate his use of "discretion" to declare the PM innocent of the charges proffered by the MACC, ignore the recommendations of Bank Negara and set free the thug caught inciting an Umno-funded crowd of layabouts.

Slumdog: I really wonder if Apandi would have decided to use his discretion under section 145(3) of the federal constitution to drop the sedition charges against Azmi and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok if the RM2.6 billion and RM42 million investigations involving Prime Minister

Najib Razak had not arisen.

Apandi is now trying to look magnanimous when he clearly knows that the trumped-up sedition charges were weak and unconscionable, and there would not be any public outrage for dropping the charges against Azmi and Kok.

Apandi, don’t take the rakyat for fools, we are well ahead of your craftiness and pathetic nonsense.

6th Generation Immigrant: One wonders if this exercise (of acquitting Azmi) is a red herring thrown in to drown together in the arena with the many he should not have even considered for acquittal at all.

Quoting the past case of Kok's acquittal seems to even draw attention toward "people who are opposed" getting a "fair review" from the government.

Kawak: Like it or not the general public, except for the PM's supporters, will perceive this discontinuation of the sedition charge on Azmi as a balancing act to neutralise the withdrawal of criminal offences against Najib.

RM2.6 Billion Turkey Haram: Apandi, while others do not applaud you for a decision well made, I do. Truly Azmi and Kok have no case to answer and you rightly cleared them.

You are very aware that your power to charge or clear a person is absolute and there lies a very heavy responsibility in your hands. As such, the destiny of the country is in your hands.

At your own discretion, you have the power to free even the worst robber, even though the evidence is overwhelming, and your decision is beyond question. Just see how powerful you are.

The crooks might romp free, plundering the country's wealth high and dry at will, making the country bankrupt. And this may result in lots of suffering for the people.

You might think it won't happen here. Indonesia and Philippines were once rich. What happened to Philippines under Marcos?

There are uncanny similarities between our country and Philippines under Marcos. Pray to Allah to guide you in your decision.

Hang Babeuf: Good news. But what a waste of time. And what an unmerited and aggravated affliction for Azmi.

Meanwhile, the serious legal point at issue - whether [good, corrective] intention may count or doesn’t in sedition cases - remains unclarified.

The matter was not decided, not put to the test. I suppose that Apandi and Co had something to lose if it was resolved clearly. Politically more advantageous, then, to keep the ambiguity and confusion alive - as a “dissuader”.

Seldom can there have been a prosecution that was, in equal measure, both as vindictive and also foolish - so draconian yet so petty and small-minded - as this putrid exercise in attempted intimidation–through-law.

Jagara: Azmi, why should you express gratitude to Apandi?

It is Apandi who should apologise to you on behalf of the AG’s Office because you were a victim, unjustly charged, one who was persecuted, for you should never have been charged in the first place.

Mohican: Apandi's move could be seen as a sort of damage control.

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