Anwar questions timing of Syed Saddiq’s court charge
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim says that every time the spectre of Parliament sitting looms, MPs face bullying tactics.
PETALING JAYA: Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has questioned the timing of the court charges against Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, saying it was linked to the impending Parliament sitting.
The PKR president said that every time the spectre of Parliament sitting loomed, Perikatan Nasional leaders “will use whatever power they have to bully members of Parliament”.
He said this was done out of fear that a motion of no confidence would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.
“These efforts have continued unabated because the PN government still lacks a majority in Parliament,” he said in a statement.
Anwar said he had been informed by numerous MPs that the PN leadership used bribery and intimidation to coerce them into supporting the current administration “in exchange for lucrative positions and/or immunity from prosecution”.
“In light of this pattern of abuse of power I question the timing of the charges against Syed Saddiq and demand that the investigation into any allegations of misconduct be transparent and professional.”
Anwar also called on PN leaders, including the prime minister, to cease the “pathetic display of abuse of power” and to face the reality of their dwindling support.
He also said enforcement agencies, by “pursuing cases selectively based on political dictates”, were signaling to would-be-criminals that they could escape prosecution by deepening their political contacts.
Electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 also slammed the charges against Syed Saddiq, saying the “gross abuse” of state institutions such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), police, Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) should not be tolerated.
Its steering committee called for reform of these institutions to make them independent of Executive influence, adding that the appointment and removal of key public officers should be transparent, accountable, merit-based and open to public scrutiny.
“To this end, a Public Appointments and Removal Bill should be enacted to mandate the regulation and oversight of appointment of all key officers to such government institutions. The MACC should be made to report to the Parliament instead of to the prime minister.”
Bersih also said the attorney-general (AG) should be made the legal advisor of the government without power to decide on prosecution of cases, while a separate “public prosecutors office” should be established.
Meanwhile, lawyer Syahredzan Johan called on the AG to explain why the prosecution had decided to press charges against Syed Saddiq seven months after he had issued consent to prosecute the former minister for alleged criminal breach of trust.
He added that Syed Saddiq’s contention that the criminal breach of trust (CBT) charges were “politically motivated” was not without basis.
“We know that the Prime Minister does not enjoy the majority support in the lower house or only has a slim majority.
“Thus MPs’ support is important to determine the fall or continuation of this government,” he said.
Earlier today, Syed Saddiq pleaded not guilty before the sessions court to two charges of misappropriating a total of RM1.12 million belonging to Bersatu Youth.
From the amount, RM120,000 was said to be party funds for the 2018 general elections, while RM1 million was allegedly withdrawn by him without the leadership’s consent.
Syed Saddiq was granted RM330,000 bail for both CBT charges.
PETALING JAYA: Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has questioned the timing of the court charges against Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, saying it was linked to the impending Parliament sitting.
The PKR president said that every time the spectre of Parliament sitting loomed, Perikatan Nasional leaders “will use whatever power they have to bully members of Parliament”.
He said this was done out of fear that a motion of no confidence would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.
“These efforts have continued unabated because the PN government still lacks a majority in Parliament,” he said in a statement.
Anwar said he had been informed by numerous MPs that the PN leadership used bribery and intimidation to coerce them into supporting the current administration “in exchange for lucrative positions and/or immunity from prosecution”.
“In light of this pattern of abuse of power I question the timing of the charges against Syed Saddiq and demand that the investigation into any allegations of misconduct be transparent and professional.”
Anwar also called on PN leaders, including the prime minister, to cease the “pathetic display of abuse of power” and to face the reality of their dwindling support.
He also said enforcement agencies, by “pursuing cases selectively based on political dictates”, were signaling to would-be-criminals that they could escape prosecution by deepening their political contacts.
Electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 also slammed the charges against Syed Saddiq, saying the “gross abuse” of state institutions such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), police, Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) should not be tolerated.
Its steering committee called for reform of these institutions to make them independent of Executive influence, adding that the appointment and removal of key public officers should be transparent, accountable, merit-based and open to public scrutiny.
“To this end, a Public Appointments and Removal Bill should be enacted to mandate the regulation and oversight of appointment of all key officers to such government institutions. The MACC should be made to report to the Parliament instead of to the prime minister.”
Bersih also said the attorney-general (AG) should be made the legal advisor of the government without power to decide on prosecution of cases, while a separate “public prosecutors office” should be established.
Meanwhile, lawyer Syahredzan Johan called on the AG to explain why the prosecution had decided to press charges against Syed Saddiq seven months after he had issued consent to prosecute the former minister for alleged criminal breach of trust.
He added that Syed Saddiq’s contention that the criminal breach of trust (CBT) charges were “politically motivated” was not without basis.
“We know that the Prime Minister does not enjoy the majority support in the lower house or only has a slim majority.
“Thus MPs’ support is important to determine the fall or continuation of this government,” he said.
Earlier today, Syed Saddiq pleaded not guilty before the sessions court to two charges of misappropriating a total of RM1.12 million belonging to Bersatu Youth.
From the amount, RM120,000 was said to be party funds for the 2018 general elections, while RM1 million was allegedly withdrawn by him without the leadership’s consent.
Syed Saddiq was granted RM330,000 bail for both CBT charges.
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