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Ex-PMs should explain lack of reforms in judicial system, says DAP leader
Dr Boo Cheng Hau says former prime ministers, such as Dr Mahathir Mohamad, will be able to provide valuable opinions and share their experiences.
Former Johor DAP chief Dr Boo Cheng Hau said the current legal system had given the executive branch of the government ‘too much power’ in the appointment of the attorney-general. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: A Johor DAP leader has urged a parliamentary committee looking into the separation of the public prosecutor’s role from that of the attorney-general (AG) to call former prime ministers such as Muhyiddin Yassin and Dr Mahathir Mohamad as witnesses.
Former Johor DAP chief Dr Boo Cheng Hau said the parliamentary committee (PSSC) on human rights, election and institutional reform should call Muhyiddin and Mahathir to answer on the lack of reforms in the judicial system when they were in office.
Boo said the current legal system had given the executive branch of the government “too much power” in the appointment of the AG, which had led to accusations that the government was interfering in the legal process following the outcome of several high-profile cases.
He said these included the acquittal of former prime minister Najib Razak and former 1MDB CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy in the 1MDB audit report case; Muhyiddin’s acquittal on four abuse of power charges; and the granting of a conditional discharge to deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on all 47 of his corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering charges.
“As the longest-serving prime minister, Mahathir would be one of the most prominent witnesses to be called to the PSSC to provide valuable opinions and share his experience as to why judicial reforms were never successfully embarked on,” said Boo in a statement.
“His presence at the proceedings will be crucial for it to recommend proposals to the government as to what sort of reforms should be in place.
“Muhyiddin, as the prime minister who appointed the former AG and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief, should be called as a key witness as to why allegations of executive interference on the high profile corruption cases could be substantiated – and his suggestions to the creation of an independent judicial system.”
Earlier this month, the chairman of the PSSC on human rights, election and institutional reform, William Leong, said the committee would hold proceedings to examine the separation of the role of the public prosecutor from the AG.
He also said the review would begin by calling upon former AG Idrus Harun, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said, Attorney-General Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh, legal affairs division of the Prime Minister’s Department director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud, and Zahid’s legal team.
In a statement, Leong said the individuals would be called in view of allegations that the attorney-general’s chambers had meddled in several high-profile cases, including the conditional discharge granted to Zahid.
PETALING JAYA: A Johor DAP leader has urged a parliamentary committee looking into the separation of the public prosecutor’s role from that of the attorney-general (AG) to call former prime ministers such as Muhyiddin Yassin and Dr Mahathir Mohamad as witnesses.
Former Johor DAP chief Dr Boo Cheng Hau said the parliamentary committee (PSSC) on human rights, election and institutional reform should call Muhyiddin and Mahathir to answer on the lack of reforms in the judicial system when they were in office.
Boo said the current legal system had given the executive branch of the government “too much power” in the appointment of the AG, which had led to accusations that the government was interfering in the legal process following the outcome of several high-profile cases.
He said these included the acquittal of former prime minister Najib Razak and former 1MDB CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy in the 1MDB audit report case; Muhyiddin’s acquittal on four abuse of power charges; and the granting of a conditional discharge to deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on all 47 of his corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering charges.
“As the longest-serving prime minister, Mahathir would be one of the most prominent witnesses to be called to the PSSC to provide valuable opinions and share his experience as to why judicial reforms were never successfully embarked on,” said Boo in a statement.
“His presence at the proceedings will be crucial for it to recommend proposals to the government as to what sort of reforms should be in place.
“Muhyiddin, as the prime minister who appointed the former AG and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief, should be called as a key witness as to why allegations of executive interference on the high profile corruption cases could be substantiated – and his suggestions to the creation of an independent judicial system.”
Earlier this month, the chairman of the PSSC on human rights, election and institutional reform, William Leong, said the committee would hold proceedings to examine the separation of the role of the public prosecutor from the AG.
He also said the review would begin by calling upon former AG Idrus Harun, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said, Attorney-General Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh, legal affairs division of the Prime Minister’s Department director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud, and Zahid’s legal team.
In a statement, Leong said the individuals would be called in view of allegations that the attorney-general’s chambers had meddled in several high-profile cases, including the conditional discharge granted to Zahid.
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