Harapan Ag Must Explain Musa Aman Acquittal

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The Pakatan Harapan secretariat has urged the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) to immediately explain today's discharge and acquittal of former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman for 46 counts of corruption and money- laundering
Describing the decision as "confusing and disappointing", the council said that an explanation was needed as the decision would reflect the true colour of the present administration
"The decision by the AGC is confusing and disappointing since the 46 charges involving corruption and money-laundering amounted more to than RM50 million
"These are not small charges and involved a substantial amount of money. Therefore, the AGC has to immediately explain thoroughly its decision as it would reflect the true colour of today's administration," the secretariat said in a statement
The joint statement was issued by the PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution, Amanah communications director Khalid Samad and DAP MP Anthony Loke
The Kuala Lumpur High Court had acquitted and discharged Musa of the 46 charges of corruption and money-laundering linked to timber concessions earlier today
Haniff Khatri AbdullaLawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla also questioned why the prosecution decided to drop the 46 charges when the MACC itself had on Nov 9 2018, had stated that it had obtained “new information regarding the case” which drove it to charge Musa Aman on Nov 5, 2018
Haniff said this needs to be explained because Musa Aman’s lawyer today had issued a statement that no charge was made regarding the investigation in 2011
“I say it is very important for the AGC helmed under Idrus Harun to give a complete and thorough explanation so that no negative perception or doubts arise in the minds of the people,” Haniff said
He said doubts may arise in regards to Musa being charged on Nov 5, 2018, and whether this had been done without a reasonable basis under the law
Haniff said a negative perception may also be triggered by the court’s order today for Musa to be discharged and acquitted which contravened the MACC’s own statement on Nov 9, 2018
“I very much hope so that a public statement from Idrus Harun could be issued as soon as possible to strengthen the confidence of the people in regards to abiding by the principles of the sovereignty of the law."Kota Kemuning assemblyperson V Ganabatirau, meanwhile, said it was a "dark day" for some Malaysians on hearing the news of Musa's acquittal
V Ganabatirau"Why do I say 'some'? It's because there are some other Malaysians who think that several political leaders who were charged are naive and innocent," he said in his Facebook posting
He questioned whether the same quarters who were "shocked" with the former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng's acquittal over graft charges would be shocked with Musa's acquittal
"Many were shocked when the former attorney-general Tommy Thomas acquitted Lim of the charges. In fact, MACC had issued a statement opposing the decision
"The AGC had issued a clear statement (on the acquittal). Will the same 'shocked' be applied by MACC or other parties on Musa's acquittal?"The Selangor state exco member also raised the possibility of such a "precedent" being used for other high-profile corruption cases in the future. - Mkini

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