FMT:
Nazlan’s probe outcome shows need to reform judiciary, MACC, says Umno man
Wan Agyl Wan Hassan says Justice Nazlan Ghazali’s case emphasises the significance of transparency and clarity in investigations and the judicial process.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission was accused of not adhering to protocol in its probe on Justice Nazlan Ghazali.
PETALING JAYA: The outcome of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s probe on Justice Nazlan Ghazali shows it is time the judiciary and the anti-graft agency are reformed, said an Umno Youth leader.
Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said Nazlan’s case emphasised the significance of transparency and clarity in investigations and the judicial process.
“This is no longer about (former prime minister) Najib Razak, it is about the fairness of justice and the independence of MACC to investigate anyone if they believe there are probable grounds to do so,” the Umno Youth permanent chairman told FMT.
Wan Agyl said it was critical that law enforcement authorities such as MACC remained fair and independent to ensure that justice was administered properly and that no person or organisation was unduly targeted or shielded.
Yesterday, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said revealed that MACC’s probe on Nazlan concluded that he had violated the Judges’ Code of Ethics and had a conflict of interest when presiding over the SRC International case.
In a letter dated March 20 to Najib’s solicitors, Shafee & Co, Azalina confirmed that Nazlan, who presided over the former prime minister’s SRC trial in the High Court, had breached the code and had a conflict of interest.
She said this was based on a MACC finding dated Feb 20, which the agency extended to her.
She was responding to a letter from Najib’s solicitors dated March 15 inquiring whether MACC had written to Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat to recommend that disciplinary proceedings be commenced against Nazlan in relation to his conduct of the SRC case.
Wan Agyl also expressed disappointment at Tengku Maimun for “appearing” to be of the opinion that MACC did not have the authority to probe Nazlan without first informing the judiciary.
“Her portrayal of judges as great individuals, as though judges will never commit any wrongdoing under any circumstances, is something we need to really ponder,” he said.
On Feb 24, a seven-member Federal Court panel led by Tengku Maimun ruled that MACC had not followed protocol when conducting its investigation into Nazlan.
The apex court said investigating bodies like MACC must consult the chief justice before initiating a probe against judges. Its failure to inform showed there was a lack of bona fide on its part, the panel said.
Wan Agyl said as judges and those in top positions of enforcement agencies such as the MACC were appointed by the executive, it was the government’s responsibility to “put an end to this shamble”.
He said the government should push forward to implement reforms to ensure the independence and impartiality of these institutions.
“This will benefit not only individuals like Najib and Nazlan, it will also increase public trust in the legal system,” he said.
PETALING JAYA: The outcome of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s probe on Justice Nazlan Ghazali shows it is time the judiciary and the anti-graft agency are reformed, said an Umno Youth leader.
Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said Nazlan’s case emphasised the significance of transparency and clarity in investigations and the judicial process.
“This is no longer about (former prime minister) Najib Razak, it is about the fairness of justice and the independence of MACC to investigate anyone if they believe there are probable grounds to do so,” the Umno Youth permanent chairman told FMT.
Wan Agyl said it was critical that law enforcement authorities such as MACC remained fair and independent to ensure that justice was administered properly and that no person or organisation was unduly targeted or shielded.
Yesterday, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said revealed that MACC’s probe on Nazlan concluded that he had violated the Judges’ Code of Ethics and had a conflict of interest when presiding over the SRC International case.
In a letter dated March 20 to Najib’s solicitors, Shafee & Co, Azalina confirmed that Nazlan, who presided over the former prime minister’s SRC trial in the High Court, had breached the code and had a conflict of interest.
She said this was based on a MACC finding dated Feb 20, which the agency extended to her.
She was responding to a letter from Najib’s solicitors dated March 15 inquiring whether MACC had written to Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat to recommend that disciplinary proceedings be commenced against Nazlan in relation to his conduct of the SRC case.
Wan Agyl also expressed disappointment at Tengku Maimun for “appearing” to be of the opinion that MACC did not have the authority to probe Nazlan without first informing the judiciary.
“Her portrayal of judges as great individuals, as though judges will never commit any wrongdoing under any circumstances, is something we need to really ponder,” he said.
On Feb 24, a seven-member Federal Court panel led by Tengku Maimun ruled that MACC had not followed protocol when conducting its investigation into Nazlan.
The apex court said investigating bodies like MACC must consult the chief justice before initiating a probe against judges. Its failure to inform showed there was a lack of bona fide on its part, the panel said.
Wan Agyl said as judges and those in top positions of enforcement agencies such as the MACC were appointed by the executive, it was the government’s responsibility to “put an end to this shamble”.
He said the government should push forward to implement reforms to ensure the independence and impartiality of these institutions.
“This will benefit not only individuals like Najib and Nazlan, it will also increase public trust in the legal system,” he said.
The last time UMNO set out to "Reform the Judiciary" to bring the Judiciary to heel to fit it's political agenda was 1988, and led to decades of disastrous governance in Malaysia.
ReplyDelete