Sri Ram backs A-G on Tommy Thomas’ role in Riza Aziz deal

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 17 May 2020 2:01PM · 9 Comments

Ad hoc prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram (pic) says the controversy over Riza Aziz’s deal should have ended with the attorney-general’s statement. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, May 17, 2020.

THE controversy over conflicting accounts on who made the decision to drop the money-laundering charges against Riza Aziz should end with the attorney-general’s statement this morning, said ad hoc prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram.

“Once (the) A-G has made a statement, that is the end of the matter,” Sri Ram said in a text message to The Star.

It was Sri Ram who applied to Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal on Riza.

Riza, who is stepson of former prime minister Najib Razak, had been charged with five counts of money-laundering on July 5 involving US$248 million (RM1.25 billion) of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)-linked funds.

Following the court’s decision on May 14 to drop the charges, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said in a statement that the government was expected to recover overseas assets worth an estimated US$107.3 million (RM465.3 million) as part of an agreement between the prosecution and Riza.

The MACC said it was a decision considered and agreed to by former A-G Tommy Thomas.

Thomas, however, denied this to The Malaysian Insight the same day, and again yesterday.

Attorney-General Idrus Harun this morning issued a statement stating that Thomas had “in principle” agreed to the terms of settlement with Riza over the money-laundering charges.

Idrus, who took office in March after Thomas resigned a month earlier, said he acted upon the advice of his predecessor’s position on the case.

“I have been further advised that Sri Ram, in consultation with then MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya, suggested that the proposals laid down in the letter of representation be accepted by MACC.

“I have also been advised that Thomas had agreed to the suggestion in principle.

“This paved the way for further negotiations and planning of the mechanism to be adopted, to take place,” said Idrus. – May 17, 2020.

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Comments

  • No. It is not the end of the matter merely because you say so, Sri Ram.
    There has to be accountability and you are showing none.

    Posted 3 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

    • Cant agree more with your point, Arul. Sri Rams stance is a big disappointment. He may have been compromised

      Posted 3 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

    • yep. agreed. someone, somehow is lying. rakyat would rather loose the 100 million. we want to see justice

      Posted 3 years ago by . . · Reply

  • DEDAK IS TAKING ITS ROLE IN DECISION MAKING

    Posted 3 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply

  • Disgraceful for Malaysia as a whole in wanting to claim that our MACC, AGC and our Judiciary are all independent but the events to date reflected the opposite. Memalukan

    Posted 3 years ago by Abdul Rashid · Reply

  • Shameful & disgrace, breach of trust!!!

    Posted 3 years ago by CW L · Reply

  • Whatever happened to Sri Ram, once a very respected judge. Wonder what made him wallow in the mud with criminals to sully his otherwise sterling reputation

    Posted 3 years ago by Mike Mok · Reply

  • Tommy Thomas resigned 2.5 months ago. This deal falls squarely on the new AG, Idrus Harun. The decision to accept or not is solely Idrus to make and he cannot pass the blame to Tommy. Otherwise, people can question what kind of AG do we have who is unable to come to his own decision.

    Its pathetic that the new AG is attempting to shift the responsibility for making the decision to his predecessor. Gopal Sri Ram is not being helpful too knowing full well that the final decision is Idrus and only Idrus to make. One can only surmise that the AGC and MACC have both been compromised. We are back to the dark age of BN where cash is truly king

    Posted 3 years ago by Super Duper · Reply

  • What a damn sweetheart deal. Incredible that Malaysians are screaming for justice and Sri Ram and co makes a mockery of it.

    Posted 3 years ago by Sunita petrus · Reply