KUALA LUMPUR: The controversy surrounding the decision to discharge film producer Riza Abdul Aziz over money-laundering charges should end with the Attorney General’s statement, says the lead prosecutor in the case.
Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram (pic), who led the prosecution against the stepson of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, said this in a brief response to queries on Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun’s statement.
“Once (the) AG has made a statement, that is the end of the matter, ” said the former federal court judge in a text message to The Star.
Idrus’ statement had come about after former attorney general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas denied an earlier claim by the MACC that the agreement struck between the prosecution and the accused to discharge Riza was a decision considered and agreed to by him.
On Saturday, Thomas came out again giving his version of the story after the MACC said it stood by its first statement.
On May 14, Riza was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal by the Sessions Court here over five counts of money laundering involving US$248mil (RM1.25bil) linked to the controversial 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
Following the court’s decision, the MACC said in a statement that the government was expected to recover overseas assets worth an estimated US$107.3mil (RM465.3mil) with the agreement struck between the prosecution and the accused.
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