Robert Phang Replies To Nazri Aziz

I am appalled by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Y.B. Dato‘ Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz’s response to my call to the A-G Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patial to clear the air on the mounting issues afflicting the Malaysia Anti Corruption Comission.

I have much respect for YB Dato‘ Seri Nazri for taking the stand that he is Malaysian First and Malay Second. I was amongst the first who quickly applauded his stand as a truly Malaysian. Likewise, I pray that YB Dato‘ Seri Nazri will display similar wisdom and not emotions.

1. On Tuesday 30th November, I gave a Press Conference to clarify the role of the MACC vis-a-vis the A-G Chambers touching, amongst others, on :

a) allegations of selective prosecution and victimisation;

b) acquittal in high profile cases for failure to establish the threshold of a prima facie case;

c) failure to institute prosecution in the losses suffered by Malaysia Airlines during the time of Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli;

d) allegations surrounding A-G Tan Sri Gani Patail’s personal conduct in consorting with the proxy of Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli during a recent Haj pilgrimage;

e) allegations by former Kuala Lumpur CID Chief, Dato’ Mat Zain Ibrahim, of manipulation and tampering with evidence in the “Anwar Black Eye Incident” by A-G Tan Sri Gani Patail and former IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

2. The Star report quoted Dato’ Seri Nazri Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, to have said that - “I don’t have to explain to him (Phang). I am not accountable to him and there is no necessity for him to pressure me.”

3. Let me be clear that my statements were directed to the Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail and not to the Honorable Minister. As such, the issue of me trying to pressure the Honorable Minister does not at all arise. In fact, I am surprised that the Honorable Minister considers my statements as being any form of pressure. Therefore, I am saddened that Dato’ Seri Nazri Aziz has seen it fit to rebuke me for trying to hold A-G Tan Sri Gani Patail accountable for these matters which are already in the public domain.

4. If the press reports are accurate, I am also saddened by the Minister’s statement that “he owed it to Parliament to reply on the issues, but not to any ordinary citizen on the street.”

5. These are very harsh words coming from a Senior Minister to a senior citizen like myself by likening me to someone in the street. I would like to remind the Senior Minister that respect begets respect. Not too long ago, we hear the slogan popularised by the Government “Yang Tua dihormati, yang muda disayangi.” We would not want our younger and future generation to be nurtured into a “kurang ajar” generation.

6. More importantly, I would like to remind the Minister that he is an elected representative of the people. His own honorific title ‘Yang Berhormat Wakil Rakyat in the Dewan Rakyat” are clear enough that the government, indeed all public functionaries, are accountable to the people- the ordinary citizen, who voted them into Parliament and into power. I therefore appeal for circumspection in the statements made by Ministers of the Government.

7. Surely but truly, the Rakyat would like to ask these questions:-

a) What is so wrong for me to voice the people’s concern and frustration over these matters which are already in the public domain?

b) Why is the Minister shielding A-G Gani Patail from explaining his actions which may constitute conduct unbecoming of a public officer?

c) Does the Minister consider it not to be improper for A-G Gani Patail to consort with people who have been implicated in investigations by the law enforcement agencies?

8. I also repeat my questions to A-G Gani Patail to answer to allegations that he is consorting with one En Shahidan Shafie, said to be a proxy of Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli, for the Haj Trip. The blogs have published documents to show that these people have been implicated in a recommendation made by former Police Director of Commercial Crimes Investigations Dept (CCID), Dato’ Ramli Yusuff, to former PM Abdullah Badawi for causing the losses suffered by Malaysia Airlines.

9. As a senior citizen and social worker, I should echo to the Minister and the A-G, that A-G’s relationship with En Shahidan Shafie breeds more than just suspicion. The public is questioning whether the A-G has been compromised by that relationship? I also do not need to remind the A-G of section 16(B) of the MACC Act that it is an offence “IF” he, as a public officer, forbears to prosecute Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli because of his relationship with Shahidan Shafie. Section 23 of the MACC Act also makes it an offence “IF” A-G Gani Patail uses his office to receive gratification for himself, his family or his relative.

10. These are matters of paramount concern to the public. The personal conduct of the A-G must be beyond reproach if the institutions of government are to have any credibility. Otherwise, the public will perceive that the allegations made by Dato‘ Mat Zain Ibrahim in the following words to be true:

“It only shows that MACC and the Chambers are prepared even to go to the extent of affirming false affidavit to screen Gani Patail from legal punishment.”

11. Civil servants and politicians are definitely answerable to the Rakyat and it would be wise for the Government of the day to listen to them.

Lastly to quote and unquote “HUMBLENESS IS GOOD VIRTUE, ARROGANCE SHALL FALL, THE MEEK WILL RULE THE WORLD”.

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Tan Sri Datuk Robert Phang Miow Sin

Justice of Peace