Meeting with MACC panels would have been plus point for A-G, says watchdog

Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) has expressed disappointment with the attorney-general's decision to cancel his meeting today with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, saying he should have given them the opportunity to express their views. TI-M president Datuk Akhbar Satar said he was aware that Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, who is also public prosecutor, had the power to institute, conduct and discontinue any (criminal) proceedings. "But for courtesy's sake, the A-G should have met to listen what members of the committees had to say," he told The Malaysian Insider. The meeting, scheduled this afternoon, was to clarify Apandi's decisions in the investigations into the RM2.6 billion "donation" and SRC International Sdn Bhd. MACC's committees, the Operations Review Panel (ORP) and the Special Panel, were to meet Apandi at 3pm at the Attorney-General's Chambers. Akhbar said the meeting would have enhanced the A-G's image as being transparent and accountable to the public. "The people have been grumbling following his decision last month (to clear the prime minister of any criminal wrongdoing)," he said. Sources said the committees were informed of the A-G's decision last night. The Malaysian Insider had reported earlier this month that the two panels would meet the A-G, a move which came as a surprise because the panels had earlier told the agency's investigators to continue "engaging" Apandi over his decision to take no further action over the RM2.6 billion donation and SRC. On January 26, Apandi said Najib had not committed any criminal offence over the "donation" as well as the Finance Ministry-owned SRC, and that there was "insufficient evidence" to file charges. Apandi said there was also no need for Malaysia to seek legal assistance from other countries as there was no offence committed. His instruction to close three investigation papers was rebuffed by former A-G, Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman, who said that a public prosecutor had no such power. Former de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and ex-Umno leader Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan have filed judicial reviews to challenge Apandi's refusal to initiate prosecution against Najib. – February 18, 2016]]>