The controversy surrounding the decision to discharge film producer Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz over money laundering charges should end with the Attorney General’s statement, says the case’s lead prosecutor, reports The Star
“Once (the) AG has made a statement, that is the end of the matter”, Gopal Sri Ram (GSR) is reported to have said.
Both Tommy and the current AG have issued statements on this matter.
Before we look at both statements, let us assume both these gentlemen are telling the truth.
What have they said?
The current AG, in a statement carried in Malaysiakini today, is reported to have issued a statement in relation to this issue. I want to summarise the relevant parts of the statement :
- He (the current AG) had been advised that Tommy, upon receiving the letter of representation from Riza’s lawyers, had minuted on that same letter, a note to GSR ( the minute is dated 19th November, 2019 ) seeking GSR’s views on the matter and further stating that Tommy was prepared to consider the representation
- He (the current AG) was advised that GSR, in consultation with then MACC chief Latheefa, had suggested to MACC that the proposal in the letter of representation be accepted. Lets call this the GSR Suggestion.
- He ( the current AG ) was advised that Tommy was, in principle, agreeable to the GSR Suggestion.
This next statement from the current AG says it all : “I shared the views of my predecessor as had been informed to me, and agreed to accept the offer…“
What must be immediately obvious from this is that it was the current AG who accepted the offer of settlement.
Not Tommy.
Second, the current AG has no personal knowledge of any of the matters in 1-3 above.
He has been advised of this.
At this stage, I will ask who the current AG was advised by of these matters?
What has Tommy said on this matter?
I want to summarise the salient points Tommy raises in his press release dated yesterday.
- Tommy acknowledges receiving the letter of representation dated 18th November, 2019 from Riza’s lawyers and says he passed this on to GSR to consider the same and to then make his (GSR’s) recommendations to Tommy.
- Until his resignation on 28th February, 2020, Tommy says he had not received any advise from GSR on the matter of the proposal contained in the letter of representation, and hence he (Tommy) made no decision on the matters stated in the letter of representation.
Again, let us, for the moment, take it that both Tommy and the current AG are both telling the truth, in which case, these questions come to mind.
- Was a minute made on the letter by Tommy? What in fact does it state?
- Was there consultation between GSR and Latheefa? Was a consensus arrived between them? What was the rationale for the GSR Suggestion?
- Were the views of Tommy on this matter ever made known to the current AG?
- Who the current AG was advised by of these matters?
Sorry, Sri Ram, this matter is far from closed
The People's Parliament 
Ravi Nayar
May 17, 2020
Very well said.
William Arul
May 17, 2020
By the way what does his latest Bentley, only 3 in the country apparently, cost?
Paulraj
May 17, 2020
Tommy Thomas received a letter from the accused lawyer. What did Tommy Thomas did? Isn’t he required to reply to that representation? Or, he just pass the buck to DPP. Isn’t this is the responsibility of the AG or his paid staff. I say Tommy Thomas failed n lied to fulfill his political master’s wish rather than to nation. He arm twisted the temple committee from attending to Adip supposedly assault victim upto Federal Court. He is evil. What Ltte case?
Mohan
May 18, 2020
Well analysed Haris. There’s a lot more to be exposed and it’s better to be stated by the current AG and MACC Commissioner. Current AG’s explanation seems to indicate that Riza’s lawyers are offering assets which have already been seized by DOJ. If my understanding is correct, how’s it possible for Riza to offer assets or funds already seized by the US authorities ? Those funds were to be returned to the Malaysian People ( Government) irrespective of the Riza Aziz cases in Malaysia.
Kanason
May 18, 2020
Sorry sir, it is not yet over…i have a suggestion….you can put up your hands above your head and start practice singing this mantra..Hare RAM Hare RAM Hare RAM, a thousand times…..and then maybe you will be pardoned by the people of Malaysia, who have been deceived, and ultimately by GOD who knows the TRUTH. This simpleton just wants to know …when is enough enough?
Khan Hang kwang
May 18, 2020
Yes, unsettled yet and it’s unsettling to claim quickly it’s settled.
Yog Sothoth
May 18, 2020
Under normal circumstances such a decision would’ve never been made without first proper consultation with the previous AG, since he has been cited and is fully capable of speaking. But these aren’t normal times. We have a satire of a government whose bias was clearly demonstrated in its treatments of MCO breachers. Although there are no similarities between those cases and that of 1MDB, we can deduce from there the direction we are heading towards.