Prosecution of several cases was rushed and flawed, says PM

Prosecution of several cases was rushed and flawed, says PM

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the cases were politically motivated by those in power at the time.

anwar
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reiterated his denial of involvement in the acquittal of Rosmah Mansor in her money laundering case.
PETALING JAYA:
The prosecution of several cases following the 2018 general election was flawed as it was done in a rush, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Commenting on the recent acquittal of Rosmah Mansor on charges of money laundering, Anwar said the prosecution of cases that began around that time was done “with such venom and enmity”.

He also reiterated his denial of any involvement in the acquittal of Rosmah in her case.

“(The cases were prosecuted with) political vengeance by those in power at the time.

“Let the process go on. As prime minister, I must be guarded in what I say. Let the courts decide. I have my views, but I cannot interfere,” he said at a press conference today.

In October 2018, Rosmah, who is the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of money laundering, involving RM7,097,750 and five counts of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board.

The prime minister at the time the case was brought against Rosmah was Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who took up the position on May 10, 2018.

The prosecution has since filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal seeking to reverse Rosmah’s acquittal.

Rosmah’s acquittal on Thursday had sparked criticism from various quarters, with NGOs calling on Anwar to set a clear timeline for the separation of the public prosecutor’s function from the Attorney-General’s Chambers. They also claimed the AG’s tenure is influenced by the prime minister.

A senior DAP leader had also called on Pakatan Harapan to explain in clear terms to supporters the basis for Rosmah’s acquittal.

He said the decision, if left unexplained, would undermine PH’s reformist agenda and erode public confidence in the government’s commitment to justice and the rule of law.

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