Don't sweep aside allegations about police and judiciary, say Darell, Hannah

Allegations implicating the independence of the Malaysian judiciary, the legal profession and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) must not be swept under the carpet, said Penampang MP Darell Leiking and Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh in a joint statement.

“We refer to news reports on alleged interference with the judiciary involving two senior lawyers and that police reports have been lodged by the parties involved.

“An independent judiciary is central to our democracy and the functioning of our society.

“An independent judiciary stands between the people and the executive as a fort against abuse of power by the latter. The legal profession, on the other hand, is a noble and credible profession,” said the two MPs.

Malaysiakini recently reported on how what began as an issue over the bumiputera equity requirement for a Petronas licence involving a Malaysian unit of Aker Solutions ASA, Norway’s largest oil services firm, has escalated into claims of judicial fixing that have rocked the legal fraternity.

This saw a flurry of developments - the charging of an Aker Solutions manager, the Malaysian Bar expressing concern over alleged misconduct by one of its members - and a police report by the Office of the Chief Justice against a senior lawyer for allegedly bringing the judiciary into disrepute.

The two MPs also referred to claims by former IGP Abdul Hamid Bador of political intervention in the police force, when he admitted there was “bad blood” between him and Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin.

Hamid said a minister should only be involved in policymaking and should not get involved in the appointments of senior police officers.

“Not too long ago, the former IGP also alleged interference by the executive in the course of his work. This was made public just before his retirement,” said the two MPs.

“Allegations implicating the independence of our judiciary, the legal profession and the police must not be taken lightly.

“We call upon the Home Ministry to quickly investigate the police reports lodged.

“Speedy and thorough investigations must be conducted on the above and the findings be made public,” they urged.

Leiking and Yeoh said Malaysians deserve to know and that the rightful standing of these important institutions will be preserved and protected.