LETTER | The members of the new 1MDB task force are impressive indeed and it seems this time around the government means business in making sure that all those responsible for the 1MDB fiasco will be brought to justice. Better late than never I presume.

However, there are still some pertinent unanswered questions as to how some of those suggested to be part of this new task force left their last posts in government service. So far, it's been unclear as many versions have been given by many channels of information resulting in only more speculation.

The spectrum of reasons ranges from going on leave prior to retirement to being sacked. The parties concerned remained surprisingly silent when the expected conduct then would have been to resist and fight back through legal recourse so as to ensure that justice was done.

Or at least officially document their dissatisfaction coupled with relentlessly pursuing all the legal recourse available. The fact that they were all government servants at the material time brings in the question of whether procedures in public service were adhered to in their removal, retirement and termination etc?

Were there any police reports lodged as to any intimidation? Why was it the investigations were not taken over by others? After all, evidence is evidence and any other investigator or prosecutor can act on it. Were there any promises, threats or inducements to any of them at any time that contributed to the halting of their actions?

The point of the matter is that the public does not really know what actually transpired in the initial framing of the charges against the ex-PM and how it all collapsed. It cannot be left to mere hearsay, private explanations or that some were simply cowed by fear of the ex-PM.

Being the two main arms of the criminal justice system, there is actually no excuse for not carrying out their duty without fear or favour. The inability to complete their task at the material time amounts to dereliction of duty.

There should be an independent inquiry set up to clear the air and to ensure that this situation is remedied by proper checks and balances in the future and that no individual be given total discretion pertaining to instituting proceedings.

This inquiry will also inexplicably ensure that we have the right people with the guts to ensure the job gets done this time around come what may.

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