← Back to list

High-profile cases will continue, despite AG's resignation

Mar 06, 2020

The recent resignation of Attorney-General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas has raised questions about several ongoing high-profile court cases.

As the nation's top prosecutor...he had been responsible for bringing corruption charges against the likes of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Now that Thomas has stepped down...some are starting to ask if the charges against these VIP's could be dropped.

We spoke to constitutional lawyer Surendra Ananth...who told us this is a possibility:

Image: Malaymail

"Just because the new AG comes in or the current AG resigns, that doesn't mean that ongoing criminal charges will be dropped automatically, but the new AG can choose to withdraw those charges even after defence is called. And in such circumstances the law does not require for him to give reasons although its prudent for him to provide reasons on why he's withdrawing the charges."

Surendra, however, is of the opinion that even if the new AG decides to drop the charges...the decision can be challenged:

"If the new AG decides to do so (withdraw the charges), my view is that it is open for that decision to be challenged in a court of law, there's a procedure called judicial review- to review the AG's decision to withdraw those charges but in short the prosecutions will continue, they can be withdrawn, if a new AG is appointed and if he decides to do so."

Datuk Seri Najib Razak, for his part...does not seem to think that his corruption charges will be dropped.

He does however, feel that with the Pakatan Harapan government gone...the atmosphere is now more conducive for a fair hearing - having long insisted that the 1MDB charges against him were politically motivated.

Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also said he intends to play by book.

The UMNO president - who is facing 87 charges for criminal breach of trust, money laundering and accepting bribes - says he fully intends to clear his name.

He, too, alleges that the charges against him are politically motivated...but he has faith in the courts.

Written by Roshini Ravindran