Former de facto law minister Nazri Abdul Aziz has defended MACC probes against Umno leaders saying that the agency’s freedom to act ought to be respected.

He rejected assertions that the agency’s investigations were politically-motivated.

“We shouldn’t see it that way. If we respect the MACC’s freedom we should accept what they do. Don’t link it to some (conspiracy); what the MACC does we should respect.

“If you want to defend yourself, go to court; don’t blame the MACC,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

The Padang Rengas MP noted that he had also defended the actions by MACC between 2004 and 2013 when he was a minister.

“I’m confident and believe that when they take a certain action, we should respect it,” he said.

'Death penalty should go'

The MACC had investigated former Umno president Najib Abdul Razak, his wife Rosmah Mansor, and his successor Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, resulting in all three being charged in court.

Investigations against the Baling MP Abdul Azeez Rahim and his son are ongoing, among others.

This spate of actions by the graft-busters has led some Umno leaders to claim that the investigations had a political agenda.

On Pakatan Harapan's plans to abolish the death penalty, Nazri said he had always held this position. 

"When I was minister of law, I started this. I'm very pleased and happy that the government is proposing to abolish (the death penalty). 

"I will definitely support it," he said, adding that he hoped the public will tune in to his speech when the matter is debated the Dewan Rakyat.