Former federal minister Rafidah Aziz has added to calls to exclude politicians facing trial from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet.
According to an Utusan Malaysia report, the former international trade and industry minister said the appointment of those with court cases to the Cabinet will tarnish the country’s image.
“These people (facing trial) should not be a part of the government. We have wasted enough time. Now we need a competent team that is credible and respected, leaders with the vision to develop the country,” she said.
She added that there were more credible politicians that Anwar could choose from.
Yesterday, Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad also said Anwar’s Cabinet must be free of MPs with ongoing court cases.
He said this was imperative and it did not matter that those concerned had yet to be found guilty of the charges they were facing.
MPs with ongoing court cases include Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin.
Meanwhile, Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih) said it was unacceptable for those facing court cases to be in the Cabinet.
Individuals with outstanding court cases taking up executive positions are politically unacceptable and can undermine the public trust in both the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and the judiciary, it said in a statement today.
Bersih also reminded the public that such political manoeuvres could cast doubts on the integrity of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government and tarnish the reputation of the country.
“Until and unless both the prosecution and the judiciary are absolutely free from political influence, it is politically unacceptable for politicians with outstanding court cases to take up executive positions.
“This is because any acquittal will be seen as the granting of impunity to those aligned with the executive. This is even if their cases genuinely merit acquittal,” explained the statement issued by the Bersih steering committee.
Bersih was also alarmed at suggestions from certain parties and individuals that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi be considered for the post of deputy prime minister in the present government.
“Zahid is still on trial for 47 charges of criminal breach of trust involving the Yayasan Akalbudi case.
“Even though he has been acquitted on 40 corruption charges on the VLN visa scheme by the High Court on Sept 22, the prosecution has filed an appeal on the case,” the statement pointed out.
Bersih also urged all parties in the coalition government to refrain from putting forth names of individuals facing court cases for the prime minister’s consideration as he forms his cabinet.
“Similarly, other elected representatives who have ongoing corruption cases such as (DAP chairperson) Lim Guan Eng, (Muda president) Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, and (Sabah BN chairperson) Bung Moktar Radin should not be appointed to the cabinet.
“Not until after their cases have been fully disposed of by the courts without any interference from the executive through the Attorney-General Chambers,” read the Bersih statement.