THE Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) should explain to the public why prosecutors did not object to Najib Razak’s application for the release of his passport to travel overseas, said the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4).

C4 in a statement today said it is appalled that Najib has been handed his passport for travel, especially as he has been convicted of corruption and criminal breach of trust.

“We urge the AGC and prosecution team to explain to the public why there was no objection to his (Najib’s) application for the temporary custody of his passport.

“There are real flight risk concerns, as he is appealing his conviction and continues to face more daunting charges in court, all related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and its subsidiaries.”

The Court of Appeal had yesterday allowed Najib to travel to Singapore to visit his pregnant daughter, Nooryana Najwa, who is expected to give birth soon.

Judge Kamaludin Md Said, who chaired a three-member bench, delivered the unanimous decision after hearing submissions from Najib’s lawyer, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Fairuz Johari said there was no objection from his side and left the matter to the wisdom of the court.

C4 asked why the prosecution did not see fit to object to the application, given that Najib is facing heavy charges and a slew of court dates, which have been repeatedly delayed due to Covid-19.

“We ask for an urgent explanation of what constitutes a fair request. C4 asks for the full reasons behind the decision to not object to his application for the return of his passport.”

The anti-graft group also questioned why Najib, who is a convicted criminal, is given preferential treatment.

“We are dealing with a convicted criminal who is barred from contesting in the general election, but he is allowed to travel overseas? Where is the logic in this?

“We urge Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to assure Malaysians that former prime minister Najib will account for his misdeeds and cannot be given preferential treatment.

“The 1MDB scandal is also named in the Pandora Papers and linked to Russian and Indian frauds, signalling no end to this gargantuan financial heist, of which he is a central figure.

“It bears stating again that Jho Low (fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho) and (former SRC International CEO) Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, both central allies of Najib, are still at large.

“Malaysia cannot afford to give Najib any opportunity to escape after being charged with multiple counts of corruption and money laundering in such a huge financial heist.

“We ask, again, what measures are in place to ensure he does not slip away?”

C4 also pointed out that Najib is appealing the RM 1.7 billion in fines to be paid to the Inland Revenue Board.

If he owes the government such a hefty sum, why is he allowed to leave the country when other income tax defaulters are blacklisted, it asked.

“Double standards in the execution of the law will greatly affect the upholding of the rule of law.” – October 19, 2021.