Minister Reads Out Note By Thomas Agreeing In Principle To Riza S Settlement

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PARLIAMENT | De facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan said former attorney-general Tommy Thomas had written a note on film producer Riza Aziz’s letter of representation over his money laundering case which showed he had agreed in principle to the terms of the settlement
"On Nov 19, 2019, Thomas had examined the letter of representation (from Riza’s lawyers). After he examined the letter, Thomas, as the (then) attorney-general, made a handwritten note, in red ink, on this letter
"The note is to someone named 'Ram', whom I think everyone knows," he added, referring to the case's lead prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram
Takiyuddin said this during his wrapping-up speech for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s address in the Dewan Rakyat today
The minister then read out the note purportedly from Thomas from what he claimed to be the original copy of the letter
"Ram, in light of the statements in paragraph 5.10, 5.14, 5.15, 5.18 and 5.19. I am prepared to consider this representation. Paragraph 5.20 contains the terms of the proposed settlements, I await your advice," the note read
Takiyuddin said: "Signed by Thomas, on Nov 19, with the attorney-general’s rubber stamp."He said this shows that Thomas had agreed in principle to resolving Riza’s case after he paid the compound. Riza is former premier Najib Abdul Razak's step-son
The records show that Sri Ram had discussed this matter with then-MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya, Takiyuddin said
The two then suggested that the MACC accept the proposals in the letter of representation by Riza’s lawyer, he added
That is why, he said, on March 11, 2020, there was another letter of representation from Riza’s lawyer which stated that Riza would comply with all terms and conditions from the MACC in relation to those charges
When new Attorney-General Idrus Harun took over the position, he was briefed by the deputy public prosecutors in charge of the case and for the sake of the department’s continuity, Idrus decided to follow the stand of the former attorney-general, Takiyuddin explained
The law minister also said that there is a provision in the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 (Amlatfa) which states that if a compound has been paid in relation to a charge, then there is no need for further prosecution in court
In May, Riza was accorded a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for his five criminal charges on allegedly receiving illegal proceeds from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB
The producer of "The Wolf of Wall Street" and "Dumb and Dumber To" was charged last year for allegedly receiving a total of US$248 million on five occasions between 2011 and 2012
Riza was accused of committing the offences by receiving the money through the bank account of Red Granite, the Hollywood production company he co-founded
The deal, however, is dependent on him fulfilling the terms of the agreement reached with the prosecution, which among others, necessitates the return of an estimated US$107.3 million (RM465.3 million) to the Malaysian government
He had also agreed to surrender his rights in three properties seized by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) in Beverly Hills and New York in the US and in London
Idrus had said he acted upon advice that his predecessor, Thomas, had agreed to the settlement terms “in principle”
However, Thomas had consistently denied that he agreed to the settlement at all.  - Mkini

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