Do we let thieves go if they return the loot, asks Dr Mahathir

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 15 May 2020 8:20PM · 4 Comments

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has questioned if the government lets of thieves if they agreed to return the loot after prosecutors reached a plea deal with Riza Aziz. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, May 15, 2020.

DR Mahathir Mohamad has questioned the government’s decision to drop money laundering charges against Najib Razak’s stepson, asking if it is possible for someone to get off scot-free by returning the loot.

He asked if there are such laws in the country that allows a thief to avoid punishments if he returned what he had stolen.

Dr Mahathir was referring to the government’s deal to drop charges against Riza Aziz in return for recovering overseas assets allegedly linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) estimated at US$107.3 million (RM465.3 million).

Following the agreement, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court allowed an application by the prosecution for a discharge not amounting to acquittal on Riza from several charges made on July 5, 2019.

Riza faced five counts of laundering up to US$248 million via Red Granite Pictures, a Hollywood production house he co-owned, with the money allegedly linked to 1MDB.

He had faced up to five years’ jail and a fine of up to RM5 million.

Dr Mahathir, addressing the issue in a video posted on his Facebook and YouTube account, asked how is it possible for someone to steal “billions and billions” and walk free after returning the money, adding he cannot accept such a decision.

“I just want to say I am confused. I am a lawmaker, a representative of the people in Parliament. But I could not recall such a law,” he said.

“Is this a precedent for the future? Someone gets caught for stealing, he is charged in court but he says: ‘What I stole, I’ll return them’.

“And we say: ‘Ok, Ok. We take the stolen stuff and you can walk free’.”

The former prime minister said he is afraid that people “who stole a lot of money” can simply walk free in similar deals in the future, especially when there are “many thieves who have stolen billions and are awaiting trial”.

Dr Mahathir added that if the Riza case becomes a legal precedent, then many more will walk free if they return what they have stolen.

“I’m concerned because I could foresee what could happen in future.”

Dr Mahathir said the government’s silence and that of the public worried him too.

“Me, I do not accept the decision.” – May 15, 2020.

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Comments

  • i agree with you but if you were a gentleman and man of your words, set a date to pass the baton to dsai and work with DAP, all this would not have happened right? so go s....w yourself

    Posted 4 years ago by . . · Reply

  • Cant agree more with Tun M on Rizas case. Its injustice and confirm that our country has two Rules of Law - one got the ordinary Rakyat and one for the rich and powerful.

    Posted 4 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • Those who advocate chopping off the hands of a thief are hypocrites now that they let a thief go.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • This is what the government of the day under Pak Din's watch is doing, Malaysia is certainly the laughing stock of the world. We have two sets of law one for ordinary folks like you and me and one for the elite bastard that has both money taken from the tax payers and most importantly power. Damm

    Posted 4 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply