In a series of tweets this morning, the former Umno minister seemed to agree with the recent High Court decision that the prime minister cannot be sued for alleged abuse of power.
He said if BN, which Najib chairs, were to be replaced, the country could have new appointments in key positions, such as the attorney-general, inspector-general of police and in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Zaid, who joined DAP on Feb 7, said it would then be possible for “crooked leaders” to face action in the court of law.
“The public may not be happy with Justice Abu Bakar’s decision, but the judge is correct. If the people (are) not happy with Najib vote BN out.
“With BN out, we will have a new AG and new IGP, and new MACC. Then crooked leaders will be hauled to court, every time we find one,” Zaid said on Twitter today.
“Then public does not need to clutch at straws by going for civil actions and using law of tort to seek redress.”
In his decision yesterday, High Court judge Abu Bakar Jais had said the prime minister cannot be sued for abuse of power in office as he is not a public official.
He said this in allowing Najib’s application to strike out a suit by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Khairuddin Abu Hassan and Anina Saadudin.
Mahathir left Umno last year and later helped form Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), which is now a member of the Pakatan Harapan opposition coalition. He is now chairman of PPBM. Khairuddin and Anina were also PPBM members but have since left the party.
In their statement of claim filed in March last year, the trio traced the chronology of investigations on 1MDB dating back to March 2015 – from the formation of a special task force, to then attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail’s sudden resignation, and the sacking of former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin (now PPBM president).
Najib’s lawyer Mohamed Hafarizam Harun had said that Abu Bakar had said the prime minister “is not a public officer although he is in public office” within the meaning of the Federal Constitution.
The court ordered Mahathir, Khairuddin and Anina to pay Najib RM30,000 in costs.
Court rules by law, even if unpopular, says judge in Najib suit