Daim's lawyers question Anwar's 'highly prejudicial' statement

Lawyers acting for former finance minister Daim Zainuddin and his wife Na’imah Abdul Khalid have labelled Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s public statement over the MACC probe against the duo as “highly prejudicial”.

In a media statement today in response to the Pakatan Harapan chairperson’s remark made yesterday over the opposition being allegedly silent over the MACC probe of the super-rich, Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh questioned Anwar’s constant lashing out in public against Daim.

The two counsels remarked that Anwar is again painting Daim in the blackest colours and insinuating that he is guilty of crimes, although no court has found him guilty of any offence whatsoever.

The lawyers pointed out that Anwar went so far as to try to drum up public opinion against Daim by criticising the opposition for keeping silent about the purported ongoing probe.

“Why does Anwar need to call for the opposition and others to support the MACC’s actions? There is a legal process properly set out under the MACC Act which governs investigations. 

“This process does not include any role for the prime minister to carry out rabble-rousing against persons being investigated. This process must be carried out free from outside pressures or influence.

“It is unbecoming and reckless for the person occupying the influential position of prime minister to make such insinuations and inflammatory statements regarding an ongoing probe and pending court proceedings.

“Anwar’s statement is highly prejudicial to the pending court proceedings and capable of exerting undue pressure and influence upon the MACC.

“It disrespects and interferes with both the court and the investigative process. It sends out the signal that Daim’s guilt is already established and that the rest is just mere formality,” the lawyers said.

The counsels added that Anwar must forthwith cease making such comments concerning the ongoing court and investigative process against Daim.

They also reminded the prime minister that every person is entitled to a fair and unbiased legal process, free from all interference, under Malaysia’s criminal justice system.

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