Following continued criticism over Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's court decision, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated that he does not have the power to interfere in the case.
"If I had the power, I would have delayed the decision after all the by-elections were done," said the Prime Minister of the twin by-elections in Johor on Saturday (Sept 9) and an upcoming one in Pahang, after Friday prayers in Kuala Lumpur, in response to allegations that he had something to do with how the AGC conducted Ahmad Zahid's corruption case.
Anwar also said he did not blame the public for wanting further clarification on how the case was conducted.
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"If I had the power, I would have delayed the decision after all the by-elections were done," said the Prime Minister of the twin by-elections in Johor on Saturday (Sept 9) and an upcoming one in Pahang, after Friday prayers in Kuala Lumpur, in response to allegations that he had something to do with how the AGC conducted Ahmad Zahid's corruption case.
Anwar also said he did not blame the public for wanting further clarification on how the case was conducted.
Read more at https://tinyurl.com/n5keev79
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
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NewsTranscript
00:00 What do you think about the PM's bid to remove the PM's hat strap and to join the UMNO?
00:08 We and UMNO are among those who are in agreement with the principles of the PM and the Malay government
00:16 to stabilize politics and to grow in the community, to create a country's economic growth that is not determined after a few years.
00:29 And it is proven by the acceptance of foreign workers.
00:34 But we are facing some difficulties.
00:38 First, the latest case that released part of the claim, but the investigation is not limited to anything.
00:54 The SPRM has said that we have to be fair.
00:59 As long as there are many figures who have been released, it will not be an issue.
01:04 When Dato Zizahid was released, it was not my decision.
01:10 I was informed by the state prosecutor because the case has a high profile.
01:15 So, they want to be fair, but I am here to explain that there is no direction.
01:24 The state prosecutor at that time, Tan Sri Idrus, was involved in the prosecution.
01:31 He read the leaked documents written by the State Prosecutor's Office, which stated that it did not agree with the prosecution.
01:44 He also saw some new facts, 200 pages that were exposed.
01:53 He also saw the investigation.
01:55 Of course, as a State Prosecutor, I know the effects and the charges that were thrown at me.
02:02 I have to ask the government for a long time, why the situation is like that, why now?
02:08 So, if you follow my question, if I have the power, I want to be responsible.
02:12 Why? I want to release all the elections.
02:15 The state prosecutor said that the date of the court hearing is the 4th of the month, and the 5th of the month is his last day.
02:23 So, he is not responsible. He does not want to release the responsibility that he has taken care of others.
02:33 So, I cannot prevent, and I also read a lot of the statements, some are true, some are false.
02:42 I ask for further explanation. I also ask for further explanation from the state prosecutors, of course.
02:50 And then I don't blame any people who want further explanation.
02:56 But if we read 11 cases that were brought to court, in front of the judge, and the judge is satisfied,
03:05 people say, "You blame the judge, you want to burden the judge." No, the process is the same.
03:11 So, that's all I can say in this case. I don't think it's fair that we impose a punishment because we don't like or disagree with politicians.
03:21 As I have said, all cases are different, but many cases were released before or after the hearing.
03:31 That's all we need to know. But be patient and read.
03:36 We hear the statements of politicians, sometimes they just say it without knowing.
03:43 So, I urge you to read the statements of the state prosecutors in court, in front of the judge.
03:51 And why the judge then feels agreeable with the principle.
03:58 Some say the judge has no choice. That's not true.
04:02 And I also think that it's because the government has left the reformation. That's not true.
04:10 And as I have said, sometimes we can be the same up with the former state prosecutors,
04:17 we can be the same up with the head of the state court, in whatever case I am involved.
04:21 But when it comes to the top of the head of the court, it becomes an issue.
04:26 So, I want to advise, the people generally have the right to ask, have the right to know.
04:34 And the answer is to read the statement in its entirety. But don't be blinded by the falsehood.
04:43 Don't think that there is a direction from the government.
04:49 [inaudible]
04:58 I agree with the view, but if it's a lie, it means I don't agree with the retribution.
05:04 That's not my field.
05:06 It's said that if you retribution to Zahid, we don't agree.
05:15 So, it means I have to retribution and I have to do it.
05:20 I want to answer, the retribution is the investigation for the work of the SPRM and the police.
05:27 The retribution is the work of the state, which decides the outcome.
05:33 Why did I say I understand and understand a little bit about the law?
05:38 Because we inherited the system that the politicians are cunning, cruel, using power to make people listen.
05:50 I went through that process. Now I'm not a minister. I can't use that power.
05:59 I asked him, I asked for an explanation.
06:02 But because people are used to this system for decades, they think this is the way.
06:08 Whoever refuses, they will catch the enemy and they will listen.
06:13 So, I don't deny that this is a long journey.
06:18 But the head of state, the head of judges, the three pillars are here.
06:23 In the Ahmadiyya Community, they have never gone to the state.
06:27 And I am the third head of the SPRM, the head of judges, the head of state.
06:35 I am the head of judges. I have been in this for 90 years.
06:39 I am the head of judges. I have never met anyone like him.
06:47 Oh, you don't believe me? That's another question.
06:50 Because of his experience. That's your experience.
06:53 But the situation has changed. Other people are taking care of it.
06:57 This is what I feel. It's a bit sad.
07:00 Do you think the police are encouraged or motivated the government to separate the role of the AG and the public office?
07:06 Ya, thank you. You see, we have made the decision much earlier.
07:10 Soon after assuming office of premiership and convening the first few cabinet meetings, we made that decision.
07:19 Then, I think, last few months, there was a paper presented to ensure that the cabinet is agreeable with this policy of separation.
07:33 Because that would strengthen the role of both the AG and the solicitor general.
07:39 This is ongoing. We have not even referred to the select committee.
07:45 And it would cost a lot of money.
07:49 Fair. If it has to be done, it will be done.
07:53 But please don't suggest that this has not been decided.
07:59 This government has decided.
08:01 But you can't do those in a few weeks.
08:04 And we need to have a closer majority to affect this reform.
08:10 I mean, are you saying...
08:16 I don't know what the public opinion is.
08:18 We need to discuss this.
08:20 This is a court case.
08:22 We need to understand what is called 'the power of the government'.
08:27 Parliament is in court.
08:31 They can ask questions.
08:33 And we will try to answer.
08:36 Because the government is not a parliament.
08:40 It is not a ministry.
08:42 So we need to have a space for the parliament to ask questions.
08:47 But don't make this parliament a court of law.
08:53 [BLANK_AUDIO]