Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) urges Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) to explain withdrawal of 37 charges against a state assemblyman.
Transparency International – Malaysia views very seriously the controversy surrounding the recent withdrawal of 37 charges against a state assemblyman as the process might bring into question the standard of independence, integrity, and professionalism of the state institutions concerned.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail was reported in The Star on August 25th as not being aware as to why the charges were ‘dropped’ after they were filed two months ago. TI-M respectfully suggests that the Director General of Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) urgently addresses the pertinent questions of (1) the basis of the decision to charge the persons concerned in the first place and (2) the subsequent decision to withdraw the charges . This is important as there must be full transparency and good governance in such decisions that affect the public interest.
We urge that the public are also entitled to know what representations were made to the DG by the state assemblyman’s counsel to warrant the decision to ‘drop’ the charges , since these representations were reportedly cited as the reason for the charges being withdrawn.
TI-M believes that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. Justice must also be blind in the sense that all people must be entitled to the same form of justice. There cannot appear to be double standards as this can adversely affect public confidence in the integrity of the judicial system.
We would like to appeal to the Attorney General to thoroughly investigate this matter and advise the public of the outcome of his enquiry as soon as possible.
Issued by
Tan Sri (Dr) Ramon V. Navaratnam
President
Transparency International – Malaysia
