By Clara Chooi
The Malaysian Insider
Jan 12, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 — Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim today insisted Datuk Seri Najib Razak prove his impartiality by calling for a royal inquiry on Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail over the Attorney-General’s alleged mishandling of several high profile cases.

According to Mat Zain, the prime minister should make formal representation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the setting up of a tribunal to examine Abdul Gani’s actions.

“It would be the first step forward for PM Najib to restore the country’s criminal justice system which has been tainted for a long time. The people would accept no less than this,” the former Kuala Lumpur CID chief said today in a letter to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar.

Mat Zain said that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s acquittal on Monday did not prove the Najib administration had not interfered in the case or the judiciary’s independence.

“Should the prosecution produce false facts and testimonies, the judge would then make his decision based on the false facts and testimonies,” he said.

He pointed out that it was the A-G who holds the power to initiate, proceed or halt any criminal proceeding while a judge’s duty was merely to judge based on information produced in court.

Mat Zain added that every court case had its own merits and differed from each other, even if they were presided over by the same judge.

“Therefore, the executive cannot beat its chest to say that judge Mohd Zabidin’s ‘not guilty’ verdict on Anwar is proof that the judiciary is impartial and free from influence or interference from the executive,” he added.

Mat Zain proceeded to list examples of high-profile cases since 1998, in which he alleged “certain parties” were believed to have referred to the executive body to obtain a decision.

Among others, Mat Zain cited the corruption and statutory rape case of former Malacca chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik, and the corruption cases involving former minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, former MAS chairman Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli and former Pelabuhan Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakariah Md Deros.

He also referred to recent scandals surrounding Minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom on his alleged abuse of zakat funds and Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abd Jalil on the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) controversy.

“What I would like to emphasise and confirm here is that every case example above has Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail’s touch on it,” said Mat Zain.

As such, he said, this would be a good time for Najib to prove his determination and sincerity and his “people first” promise by taking appropriate action against the country’s top lawyer.