Probe Tommy Thomas despite bribery denial to reduce charges of tycoon's son, MACC told
Lawyer Haniff Khatri says a probe still needs to be carried out despite a rebuttal.
MOHD FAIZUL HAIKA MAT KHAZI21 Feb 2022 09:56am
Ex-AG has denied allegations of receiving bribes to reduce charges on a tycoon's son
'I praise Tommy Thomas for his quick response but that does not mean the case should be closed following the rebuttal' - lawyer haniff Khatri
SHAH ALAM: Lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla has urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to open papers on former attorney-general Tommy Thomas, even though he has denied allegations of receiving bribes to reduce charges on a tycoon's son.
He said MACC still needs to probe the case despite the rebuttal.
“I praise Thomas for his quick response but that does not mean the case should be closed following the rebuttal," he told Sinar Premium.
This comes after Twitter account Edisi Siasat, which recently changed its name to Edisi Khas, claimed that although Tan’s son was arrested under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act for being involved in a large quantity of drugs, the case was classified as an NFA (no further action) by Thomas in 2019.
Thomas said the allegation that he was corrupt in the context of the Edisi Khas post simply meant that he was bribed.
In a statement yesterday, it was reported that Thomas said it is usual in criminal matters, lawyers of the accused submitted written representations to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to reconsider the decision to charge.
He further said: "Having studied the representations and the investigation papers, reviewing the relevant provisions and discussion with the case officers, I recall reducing the charges."
“Receiving representations from lawyers and accused, and reducing or dropping charges thereafter are common occurrences in AGC.
“I have no access to any documents, record or file maintained by those who prepared the investigation papers,” he said, adding that he could not provide any further details of the case.
Haniff said the authorities should also get more details from Edisi Khas and other relevant authorities.
