Judicial Interference Nik Nazmi Lodges Report On Paa Conviction

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Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has lodged a police report following Court of Appeal judge Hamid Sultan Abu Backer's exposé on alleged judicial interference
Nik Nazmi told reporters today his report pertained to his own charge under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA) as organiser of the 2013 Black 505 rally
"I refer specifically to my case, because in paragraphs 86 to 90 of his affidavit, Hamid mentioned my Black 505 case
"Now it makes sense why I was re-charged several times, despite previously being freed. "It was an attempt to prevent (then) opposition Pakatan Harapan leaders from contesting in the 14th general election," he told reporters at Dang Wangi police station after lodging his report this morning
Nik Nazmi had previously been fined RM1,500 after pleading guilty in the High Court in Shah Alam for violating the PAA in organising the Black 505 rally five years ago
Hamid had filed a 63-page affidavit on Thursday, in support of lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo's suit against chief justice Richard Malanjum for failing to defend the integrity of the judiciary over two alleged incidents of interference – including a case against her late father, former DAP chairperson Karpal Singh
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had on Friday said the government will discuss calls to set-up a royal commission of inquiry on the alleged judicial interference
Commenting further, Nik Nazmi said that while the RCI was a move which should be taken by the cabinet, he decided to lodge a police report to pressure authorities to open their own probe
"I lodged a police report to urge authorities to take the matter seriously and investigate any alleged improprieties, as this goes to the deepest level of our judicial system," he said
"People must have confidence that our judicial system is independent and there is no political interference
"But we see that the basic principles of an independent judiciary has been compromised... this is a very in-depth exposé by a sitting Court of Appeal judge," he said
On Mahathir's statement that the government will look into the need for an RCI, Nik Nazmi said it must be urgently done to restore the people's faith in the judicial system. - Mkini

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