Umno Youth urges power abuse probe into Najib's IPIC charges after document leak

PETALING JAYA: Following the leak of documents recommending the withdrawal of charges against Datuk Seri Najib Razak and former Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, Umno youth chief Akmal Salleh has called for a probe into possible abuse of power.

Akmal said there should be an investigation on whether certain individuals have abused their position to charge Najib and Irwan, as such interference is against the law.

“These elements of political charges give a negative impression. The country is also facing losses,” Akmal said in a statement Friday (Aug 18).

Akmal said that due to the charges against Najib and Mohd Irwan, the country is facing losses due to a US$1.8bil (RM8.06bil) settlement by International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) and Aabar Investments PJS (Aabar PJS), compared to a US$7bil (RM32.6bil) settlement agreed during Najib's tenure.

At the same time, Akmal also urged Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun to investigate the authenticity of the leaked documents.

“If contents of the leaked documents are real, then the AGC should take action by retracting the six charges against Najib and Mohd Irwan, in line with recommendations in the document,” said Akmal.

Akmal also said Umno youth always respect the legal process in the country.

“Umno Youth will not compromise and we will fight any attempts by those who want to abuse the legal process for their vested interests,” added Akmal.

Idrus had said the AGC will investigate the alleged leaked documents.

In the viral copy of the alleged internal memo from the AGC, the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) prosecution team was concerned that a strong prima facie case could not be built for the six charges.

The said case referred to the charges against Najib and Irwan at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Oct 25, 2018, where the two were jointly charged with six charges under Section 409 of the Penal Code for breach of trust amounting to RM6.6bil in government funds involving payments to IPIC.

On Dec 7, 2018, the case was transferred to the High Court.

Najib filed his first representation two years ago in his bid to have the charges dropped, but it was rejected.

On Aug 9, Najib sent a second representation to the AGC.

It was reported that Irwan filed his first representation in 2020 but this was not replied by the AGC, prompting him to send another representation in March this year.