MAS debacle: A-G must explain ties with Tajuddin
By Queville To, Free Malaysia Today
KUALA LUMPUR: Outspoken Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) adviser Robert Phang has again trained his gun on Attorney-General Gani Patail for his deafening silence over his consorting with Shahidan Shafiee, the proxy of former Malaysia Airlines chairman, Tajuddin Ramli.
He described such a stance by Gani as a great disservice to the government in the fight against corruption.
“I have raised this before and the A-G’s continued silence is deafening. PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayob has now raised the same issue.
“This is not just a political issue but it also concerns the integrity of the highest law officer of the country. His actions and conduct can erode the credibility of the government,” he said in his New Year Message here yesterday.
There is also public scepticism over the conduct of the A-G in the exercise of his prosecutorial powers, he added.
“His reluctance to act in certain cases, while very vociferous in others, have given rise to allegations of selective prosecution bordering on persecution,” he said.
He noted that Salahuddin, too, has raised this seemingly double-standard practice involving the case of Rosli Dahlan who is widely known to be the lawyer handling the MAS case who has alleged that he had been victimised by rogue elements in the government.
“It is frightening that the whole machinery of the A-G’s office and the MACC can be used against one man.
“The government must dispel this perception of persecution against an innocent citizen,” he said.
Phang reiterated that he has raised these matters without any personal or political agenda.
“I am not a politician. I speak for what I believe to be true and right. These are matters that have been in the public domain and it is incumbent on me to remind the powers that be of the public displeasure.
“Only in this way civil activists like me can be of service to the nation, the government and the public. This is consistent with the reminder by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak that those in power must not suffer from the four diseases – delusion, amnesia, inertia and arrogance.
“I pray that all civil servants, more so the politicians and ministers, will follow rigidly Najib’s directive,” he said.
MACC work laudable
While applauding the achievements of MACC chief commissioner Abu Kassim in bringing to book some big names this year, including former minister Dr Ling Liong Sik in the alleged misappropriation of funds in the Port Klang Free Zone, Phang said the report by the forensic auditors has mentioned several other big names, including those still serving government, and who are also big names in their political party.
“These big names have quickly used the MACC’s clearance as a political mileage.
