Two oversight panels with the MACC advised it to “engage” with the AG again on orders to close investigations on SRC and RM2.6B Donation

The Operations Review Panel and the Special Panel said the MACC should talk to AG Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali again on his decision against further action. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Malaymailonline

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 28 — Two oversight panels with the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) advised it to “engage” with the Attorney-General again on orders to close investigations into the RM2.6 billion donation deposited into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's personal accounts.

After a lengthy five-hour long meeting at the MACC’s headquarters here this morning, the Operations Review Panel (PPO) and the Special Panel said the graftbusters should talk to AG Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali again on his decision against further action.

“The panels took note of the recent decision of the AG relating to the RM2.6 billion and SRC International cases. Both panels advised MACC to engage with AG regarding said decision,” former national police chief Tan Sri Musa Hassan, who is a member of the oversight panel read to reporters in a statement here.

On Tuesday, Apandi cleared Najib of any wrongdoing over several multi-million dollar transfers into his accounts, allegedly from the Saudi royal family and SRC International.

MACC, which investigated both cases, said that they will "appeal" the AG decision and later referred the matter to the oversight panels for review.

At a press conference later, Musa said that the oversight bodies represent “public opinion” and that they felt the AG’s decision warranted further explanation.

“We fully respect the fact that the AG has discretion not to prosecute, but he owes an explanation as to why he made the decision,” he added.

He did not reveal the contents of the meeting, or the panel’s exact advice to the MACC.

“We feel some of the things discussed and not for public consumption but this is what we are advising the MACC. We can’t engage the AG directly, only the MACC can do that,” he said.