Shafee says release of audio recordings by MACC is sub judice

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah accused the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) of committing sub judice and contempt of court by releasing the purported audio recordings implicating high-ranking officials to the public.

The lead defence counsel for Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his ongoing corruption trials relating to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), said the defence was seriously contemplating a contempt action against the MACC, particularly its commissioner Latheefa Koya.

"Releasing the tape now and discussing in public in a media release is, in fact, sub judice. It is, in fact, contempt. Was the MACC trying to influence and sub judice the ongoing trial?" he told the press at the court complex here on Wednesday (Jan 8).

Shafee said in normal circumstances, a police report would be lodged once a piece of purported evidence was discovered and added that this would lead to a confidential investigation.

"It would not be released to the public. The investigation itself is confidential.

"In fact, Latheefa herself said these are official secrets that former MACC chief Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad was apparently discussing (in the recording). She is guilty of the same thing because these matters are still to be investigated," Shafee added.

He said by holding the press conference, Latheefa had disclosed information and police would now have to investigate something that was already in the public domain.

"So that itself is a very serious breach by her," Shafee said.

Earlier on Wednesday (Jan 8), the MACC revealed a series of nine audio recordings of high-ranking officials, including Najib, alleging this was a "criminal conspiracy at the highest level".

The MACC alleged that another recording was of Rosmah and Najib, in which Rosmah was heard expressing her displeasure over a certain matter related to MACC investigations.

Among other individuals which MACC identified in the audio recordings were former MACC chief Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad, Rosmah, former Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, and Najib's former principal private secretary Tan Sri Shukry Mohd Salleh.

The recordings are said to have been made between Jan 5,2016, and July 29,2016.