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KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has held firm in claiming that the prosecution team of former Attorney General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas was behind the deal with Riza Aziz, who was under investigation for his involvement in the 1MDB financial scandal.
“This is an ongoing case in court, so any decision is made by the deputy prosecutor.
“We inform the public about what is happening. That is all,” Azam said in his response to Thomas’s denial that he had entered into an agreement with Riza, who was discharged by the Kuala Lumpur Session Court which was not an acquittal for his money laundering case.
MACC had explained that Riza, who is also the stepson of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, will have his charges withdrawn in exchange for the recovery of assets abroad that have an estimated value of RM465.3 million.
Thomas said there was no agreement to drop the charges before resigning as attorney general and claimed that the MACC had made a fabricated false statement.
Azam, on the other hand, upheld the original MACC statement, noting that any deputy prosecutors involved in the case had to receive Thomas’ approval of the decision.
“Without his declaration and permission, we would not have made any kind of confirmation to the public. This is what they informed us. It does not matter if the old AG wants to deny it, that depends on him. We respect our declaration,” said Azam.
