THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission today confirmed meeting Hamid Sultan Abu Backer on the explosive affidavit he filed last week on judicial impropriety, but added that no statement was recorded from the Court of Appeal judge.

In a statement released this evening, the anti-graft agency said its officers met Hamid in chambers at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya today to seek clarification on the affidavit.

“But no statement was recorded. Hamid has suggested for a special task force to be set up to see to the forming of a Royal Commission of Inquiry,” the statement said.

“MACC will first study the affidavit and continue investigations to see if there is a basis to look into the matter for corruption and abuse of power under the MACC Act.”

Earlier today, The Malaysian Insight reported that five MACC officers, including its deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki, met the judge at his chambers to record his statement, but were turned down.

Hamid was represented by lawyers Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla and Joy Appukuttan in the meeting with the MACC team.

Haniff said Hamid would only speak when the task force and RCI were formed.

Meanwhile, MACC also urged the public to report to its nearest MACC office if they knew of any information related to the matter.

The anti-graft agency said those who had information to share would be protected under the Whistleblowers’ Act.

Last week, Hamid said in his affidavit that members of the judiciary had conspired to defraud the government.

The affidavit was in support of lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo’s application to declare that the chief justice failed to defend the integrity and credibility of the judiciary over two alleged incidences of judicial interference.

Hamid said certain top judges from the Federal Court had been aiding private parties in defrauding the government.

He also said there were other instances of top judges working in favour of the previous Barisan Nasional administration.

Hamid, who is still a sitting judge, repeatedly stressed in his affidavit on the need for an RCI to investigate the allegations.

Last Friday, lawyer and DAP’s Jelutong MP RSN Rayer lodged a report with MACC to push for an investigation while joining the chorus from the legal fraternity for a RCI. – February 18, 2019.