PETALING JAYA, Sept 20 — Former Malaysian Bar president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan today questioned the six-day remand of former Umno leader Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan, suggesting that Putrajaya was “afraid” of the man critical of 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Ambiga called it a “total abuse” for authorities to remand Khairuddin for the length, saying that the power to detain individuals for investigations was not meant to be used as a punishment.
“Why (hold him for so long)? Because he’s going overseas to present some documents to a federal agency?” she asked when approached by reporters at the Malaysian Freedom Summit 2015.
“Why are you afraid of this man? And I was appalled, shocked actually, at the length of the remand. I think this abuse of the remand procedure must stop.”
Khairuddin was arrested on Friday after being barred from leaving the country ostensibly for handing over documents related to state-owned 1MDB to the Swiss Attorney-General’s Chambers
The former Penang Umno division chief was detained under Section 124 (C) of the Penal Code, which covers activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy, and remanded for six days yesterday.
Ambiga today also questioned the decision to investigate Khairuddin under Section 124(C), calling it a misuse of the provision.
“They equate the prime minister with Parliamentary democracy. Sorry, that’s not the definition of parliamentary democracy,” she said.
She further added that Malaysia has becoming a “laughing stock” for other nations following the series of events related to 1MDB, which she said ruined the country’s previous image as a modern, democratic and progressive nation.
“When you go overseas, people are asking ‘what is happening in your country?’ They can’t believe it,” she said.
“But to be fair to Malaysians, they are waking up. But many feel depressed and don’t know what to do because our institutions are not working. Who do we complain to? Who do we ask to do something to address this problem? It is the very leaders who are guilty of abuse of power. That is our problem.”
Khairuddin was supposed to have left for New York prior to his arrest, reportedly to meet US federal law enforcers to seek their aid for investigations into the state-owned strategic investment firm.
The Wall Street Journal today reported that the US’ Federal Bureau of Investigation is now investigating entities linked to 1MDB, although the agency said it did not have engagement with Khairuddin scheduled.
