Probe into PM classified as NFA, Na'imah's lawyers outraged

Summary

• Police and the AGC have deemed investigations into claims of political persecution involving Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the MACC as NFA.

• Lawyers for Daim Zainuddin’s widow, Na'imah Abdul Khalid, slam the decision as lacking transparency and accountability, calling it “outrageous”.

• They question if key figures were even investigated, saying the case raises serious concerns over institutional independence and the rule of law.

Authorities have classified the investigations against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the MACC's alleged political persecution of Daim Zainuddin as “no further action” (NFA).

Legal representatives for the former finance minister's widow, Na'imah Abdul Khalid, said they were informed of the NFA decision by the police and the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) via a letter from the Sentul district police chief on June 21.

"This decision is unacceptable, outrageous, and contrary to good governance and the rule of law," lawyers Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh Sohanpal said in a statement today.

"No details have been given of who was questioned, what steps were taken, or what the reasons were for the NFA.

"Was Anwar questioned? Was (MACC chief commissioner) Azam Baki questioned? Was the investigation fair, thorough, and impartial?" they asked.

On Sept 30 last year, Na'imah filed a police report following a Bloomberg news article implicating Anwar and Azam in "concerted abuse of investigative powers" concerning supposedly targeted probes by the graft busters into Daim.

Bloomberg’s Sept 26 report detailed claims of political interference in the graft buster’s operations.

The article also cited sources claiming that Anwar had ordered Azam Baki not to investigate the prime minister's former aide, Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, over the latter’s purchase of shares in HeiTech Padu Bhd.

‘We will not be silenced’

Two days before her lawyers were informed of the NFA decision, Na'imah had filed a separate report with the Independent Police Conduct Commission, urging the commission to probe the force over its alleged inaction on her complaint.

Her lawyers said today that despite the serious public interest implications of Na'imah's allegations, the police and the AGC have chosen to "quietly close the case with no explanation and no accountability".

This decision, they said, reflects badly upon the police and the AGC, while also confirming the erosion of institutional independence under Anwar's administration.

"We will not be silenced or deflected from our pursuit of justice. The matter will be pursued until the truth is revealed and right is done.

"Malaysians deserve institutions that serve the public, not those in power," they stressed.

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