KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 — Criminals who believe they can escape the law through acts of intimidation, such as murdering judicial officials like Anthony Kevin Morais, are sorely mistaken, Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed said today.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief proclaimed that nothing can stop the judicial process and those who are caught will have to face the court, though it may be delayed.

“I want to stress and remind that these people’s actions can only delay investigations or prosecutions.

“But it will not stop investigations and the cases from being heard in court,” he said in a speech in memory of the slain deputy public prosecutor who had been seconded to the MACC for a decade.

Abu Kassim was present but passed his speech to be read out by MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull.

The teary-eyed commissioner said he had known Morais personally for more than a decade and apologised to the audience for not reading out his own speech, as he was not feeling well.

“In this tragedy that involves Kevin, we have lost a deputy public prosecutor who was committed, with integrity,” his speech said.

Abu Kassim later told an equally teary-eyed crowd consisting mostly of officials from MACC and the Attorney-General’s Chambers that perpetrators may be able to dodge the authorities for a while, but will not be able to hide their wrongdoing forever.

Investigations do not stop just because the evidence is buried or witnesses are abducted, he said, adding that justice will ultimately be served.

“You can win your battle to hide the evidence from the eye of law enforcement, but you can’t hide from the eye of the public, regardless of whether you are a normal citizen, businessman, corporate figure and political leader,” he said.

He also said those who conspired with wrongdoers and meddle in anti-graft investigations would not have a peaceful life no matter the financial gain received.

Abu Kassim called upon MACC staff to continue working independently, transparently and professionally as they have to ensure that the people’s wishes are prioritised.

He also asked Malaysians to cooperate with MACC and to prevent seeing another official suffer Morais’ fate.

“The people’s support is necessary and is extremely important to ensure investigations can be conducted freely and effectively and if the case is brought to court, the trials have to go smoothly without any interference.

“MACC promises to protect the interests of the people and the country,” he said.

Mohd Shukri also was choked with tears when he read that Morais’ loss would spur them on to defend the country’s rule of law.

“For those of us who are still alive, we promise that your sacrifice will be our strength to fight corruption, no matter how big or small.

“No one is immune to legal action no matter how high their position is,” he said.

The memorial event was to launch the Moot Court at the Malaysian Anti Corruption Academy in Morais’ name, and was also attended by the slain government lawyer’s brother, Charles Morais.

In an emotional speech, Charles said he prays his brother’s murderers will get the death penalty.

“The buck should stop here, Kevin’s demise should be an example to all that an example had to be made of the accused,” he said.

Morais’ body was found hidden in a cement-filled oil drum in Subang Jaya 13 days after he was abducted en route to his Putrajaya office from his Segambut home on September 4.

Eight people have been charged in connection to his murder.