Dr M says he is surprised by PMO statement on Riza Aziz case

PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he is surprised with a media statement stating the Prime Minister was not involved in the decision to grant a discharge not amounting to an acquittal to Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz.

“As I know, no one has accused the Prime Minister, ” he said in his blog Wednesday (May 20).

The former premier said such media statement was akin to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin claiming that he had no intention to become the prime minister, and no protest was necessary as no one had suggested the latter for the post.

“But in the end, it’s okay to let the party go to ruin, as long as the premiership is obtained, ” he said, referring to Muhyiddin, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president.

Dr Mahathir is no longer the chairman of Bersatu, according to a letter by the Registrar of Societies (RoS).

RoS said in the May 5 letter that it took note of the fact that Dr Mahathir resigned as Bersatu chairman via a letter dated Feb 24, which took immediate effect and was sent to Muhyiddin.

On Monday (May 18), the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement that the Prime Minister was not involved in the decision to grant a discharge not amounting to an acquittal to Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz on money laundering charges related to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

The PMO said the decision was reached between the prosecution and the accused through a representation brought before the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).

“The Prime Minister reiterates his stand not to meddle in the affairs of the AGC and the judiciary in any decision relating to criminal cases in the country, including high-profile cases, ” it said.

Riza Aziz, the stepson of former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak, was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal by the Sessions Court on May 14 over five counts of money laundering charges involving US$248mil (RM1.25bil) linked to 1MDB.