Bar to snub Putrajaya’s political funding reform committee
(TMI) – The Bar Council said today that it would not be part of the committee to study the regulation of political funds, adding that it wants investigations into the RM2.6 billion found in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s private accounts be completed first.
Malaysian Bar president Steven Thiru said that the current focus should instead be on an independent and comprehensive investigation into the allegations against the prime minister.
“The discourse on these new laws should await the completion of the ongoing investigation into the transfer of the funds. This is, in particular, because a donation is still within the definition of ‘gratification’ under the MACC Act 2009.
“This is not the time to indulge in side issues that could be perceived as a smokescreen to cover up wrongdoing in this matter,” he said in a statement early this morning.
In fact, Thiru said, the proposal made by Najib himself on Friday could be seen as an attempt to divert attention from the investigation into the prime minister and the money deposited into his accounts.
“Indeed, the proposal to set up the committee will invariably be seen as an attempt to divert attention from the investigation, or to create a convenient distraction from the serious allegations of corruption as well as the ramifications of these allegations, if proven to be true.
“The proposal should not be a device to diminish the importance of the investigation,” he added.
