Release of audio recordings: MACC should be praised, says Patriot

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 10): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should be commended instead of criticised for publicising the alleged audio recordings of tele-conversations involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, ex-MACC chief Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad, former government figures and a foreign dignitary, said Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) today.

"Those in high office, abetted by very senior officials, have committed the gravest of crimes and no stones should be left unturned," said the NGO’s president Brig-Jen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji in a statement today.

"We are aware that MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya’s conduct of releasing the recorded phone conversations involving Najib Razak may be subjudice and breaches the law. However, nothing in this new episode adds to a trial-by-media compared to what already has [taken place],” he added.

"Any breach of legal principles on her part is for learned judges to decide, if need be.

"What is of vital importance is for all Malaysians to acknowledge that very serious crimes have been committed by top leaders of the previous administration and shamefully abetted by top government officials.

"We need to quickly bring the shameful past to a close and heal wounds, quit the ethno-religious politicking and focus on nation-building," Arshad explained.

"We were told that even the Prime Minister was not consulted about the press conference. This is a positive step towards institutionalising the MACC as a fully independent body," he added.

The MACC has come under fire from various personalities including prominent lawyers for releasing to the media the audio recordings.

Lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla said Latheefa should have asked her officers to lodge a police report and handed over the recordings to the police instead of publicising them.

“Sadly, Latheefa and the MACC had contravened the rule of law by releasing the audio recording. This should not be done by any enforcement agency,” he said.

Daughter of the late Karpal Singh, Sangeet Kaur Deo asked if the release of the audio clips were politically motivated in the run-up to the Kimanis by-election.

Bukit Gelugor lawmaker Ramkarpal Singh said: “The broadcasting live of recorded telephone conversations between parties claimed to be the former Prime Minister and others by the MACC is improper and regretted.”

Bersatu supreme council member A Kadir Jasin is of the view that the MACC’s actions could cost the graft busters their integrity if the recordings were not first verified.

Meanwhile, another Bersatu supreme council member, Rais Yatim said: “Some of the exposé in the MACC phone conversations audio could become substantive pieces of evidence in the presently ongoing 1MDB trial. Could it not be prejudicial in publicising it just now? Many of us who are basic practitioners think so.

“Of what purpose is this? We are not told.”