Malaysian Bar pours scorn on Najib, Rosmah audio clip revelations

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 9 Jan 2020 8:24PM · 8 Comments

Bar president Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor says the MACC’s move to release the audio clips publicly would now invite a trial by media of those involved. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, January 9, 2020.

THE Malaysian Bar has disagreed with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) move to make public recordings of private conversations involving Najib Razak, his wife Rosmah Manson and other high profile individuals.

Bar president Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor said the MACC should have handed the audio clips over to authorities for investigations first, and its move to release them publicly would now invite a trial by media of those involved.

“The broadcasting live by the MACC of recorded telephone conversations is unprecedented and improper and will invite trial by media even before investigations are carried out.

“The MACC should instead have informed the public of the existence of such audio recordings and let the authorities carry out their investigation,” Gafoor said in a statement this evening.

He also called the manner of the disclosure “unwarranted” and said the MACC’s move would invite allegations that it was in contempt, sub judice and in breach of the Official Secrets Act.

He added that it showed “a withering of the rule of law”.

“The Malaysian Bar calls for a thorough investigation of the revelations, which are grave in nature and concern matters of public importance and public interest.

“The rule of law is upheld when the principles of transparency, accountability, good governance and the public interest are guarded,” he said.

MACC Chief Commissioner Latheefa Koya, when releasing the audio clips yesterday, said the conversations pointed to “serious power abuse, criminal conspiracy, obstruction of justice and compromising national security”.

She said it was up to judges to determine the admissibility of the recordings as evidence should the matter be brought to court.

The conversations involved plans to manipulate high level government information and requests by Najib to resolve certain issues involving money linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd. – January 9, 2020.

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Comments

  • LK made a smart move. Had she passed the evidence to the police first, there was a real danger deep state ppl in PDRM could cover it up and even destroy evidence. By making it public in the first instance, PDRM have virtually had the work cut out for them. Expect a slew of criminal charges ensuing from this expose. Well done ma'am.

    Posted 4 years ago by Andrew Amaladoss · Reply

  • No any govt agencies can be Trusted mostly hv LOST INTEGRITY. If a poor citizen is caught they get down hard on it When rich man is caught MalaysiaBoleh.

    Posted 4 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply

  • If transparency is that important then the Bar Council President should be lauding Puan Latheefah. Most Malaysians support her decision to reveal this damning information publicly.

    Posted 4 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

    • Must comply with the law...sub judice.

      Posted 4 years ago by Conrad Chan · Reply

  • I agree with the Bar Council. It is teh WORST decision to release the tapes without scrutiny that it has been doctored by any 3rd party. That is the law. You cannot decide that the voice is that of Najib or Rosmah, although it sounds like them. This is DOUBLE STANDARDS-the Minister of Economics Sex Tapes were not released to the public but underwent scrutiny to ascertain whether it was the Minister of not. When the Police and US authorities could not make a sure assessment-the Minister of Economics says he was not guilty. Najib's case, thanks to the stupid MACC 's decision-makes our judicial system a mockery.

    Posted 4 years ago by Conrad Chan · Reply

  • I think she did the right thing. Nowadays even the highest authorities officers cannot be trusted, can you imagine the Zul fellow who was from the AGC also work hand in glove with the former PM? He was promoted to be the MACC chief! I still remember that he told us that he is bringing all the big fish to court, never imagine that he was the biggest fish of them all! He trampled our trust on him! If you hand the tapes without letting the people know, they may be lost on transit! Now let us see what the relevant department will do!

    Posted 4 years ago by Alex Liew · Reply

  • Did the subjects deny that those were their voices?

    Posted 4 years ago by N A · Reply

  • Why then not show all the reports on the DAP representatives who are charged under the criminal law for working with LTTE Terrorists( by the way they are no longer considered terrorists internationally). Take all the documents have a press conference and exhibit it. Additionally, let the public see the Sex Tapes of Minister of Economic-have a press conference and show lah..... show us the report via press conference of what happened to the Christan priest who was disappeared-make full disclosure -have a press conference.................show all .

    The worst criminal must also be allowed the benefit of the law. The suggestion by the AG that sub judice is not applicable in Malaysia because there is no jury is a JOKE ! Is his department now pronouncing new law via the press. There are dozens and dozens of decisions that recognizes that sub judice has the force of law, and you have scandalized the court by pre-empting decision making. Frankly, disappointing-someone else bigger than the AG or MACC head has given the approval to expose these documents in contempt of the court. I dont support Najib or corruption but the rule of law must be applied to all. This was WRONG.

    Posted 4 years ago by Conrad Chan · Reply