Should he be suspended?
KUALA LUMPUR: Should Criminal Investigations Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd be suspended or asked to go on leave pending a probe into almost RM1 million seized by Australian police from his Sydney bank account?
Some quarters feel that Wan Ahmad should go on a leave of absence while the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) conducts investigations, following a report lodged with the commission on March 5.
Among those who feel Wan Ahmad should be suspended are National Patriots Association (Patriot) president Brig Jen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji, as well as opposition politicians from Johor Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Johor Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).
However, former Transparency International-Malaysia president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said Wan Ahmad should be allowed to stay i n office, until t here i s compelling evidence of wrongdoing.
“Otherwise, if at anytime anybody makes an allegation about someone, should that person take leave too? It will become chaotic,” he said, adding that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun should contact his Australian counterpart to determine the gravity of the case.
“If it’s genuinely serious, then yes,
he can advise Wan Ahmad to go on leave.”
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Australian police had seized A$320,000 (RM969,000) from Wan Ahmad’s account on suspicion that it involved moneylaundering or criminal elements.
Mohamad Fuzi had debunked reports claiming that Wan Ahmad did not want his money back, and that the CID director was weighing the legal costs involved.
“He would definitely want his money back. He is of the notion that the fees and taxes he would have to pay the Australian government would be more than the amount that was seized,” Mohamad Fuzi had said on Tuesday, adding that Wan Ahmad has yet to initiate any action to recover the money.
Mohamed Arshad said failure to suspend a senior civil servant from active duty while he is under investigation for an alleged serious misconduct or power abuse will set an unhealthy precedent that might lead to subordinates in similar situations demanding the same “privilege”.
“Until the investigations are completed, it is improper to allow him to remain on duty. MACC should be allowed to investigate the case without any interruption. They might want to visit his office. So, it is best he is asked to go on leave.”
“That is what we do in the Armed Forces. A soldier under investigations is ordered to go on leave. I believe it is the same in the civil service.
“It is understandable that the IGP will try to defend his men, but this will set a precedent,” said Mohamed Arshad, adding that Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa should be answerable to the public if an exemption is given to Wan Ahmad.
Yesterday, several Johor assemblymen urged the Home Ministry to suspend Wan Ahmad to let MACC conduct its investigations with transparency.
“The issue is of public interest and the investigations can clear the CID director’s name. If no wrongdoing is found, it will help boost the people’s confidence in the police and MACC,” said Johor PKR chairman Hassan Karim.
Also with him were Johor PKR deputy chairman Jimmy Puah Wee Tse and Dr Hashim Yusoff of Johor PPBM.
Meanwhile, opposition MP Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Kulai) said she is willing to start a crowdfunding campaign to help Wan Ahmad recover his money.
She said if travel costs and legal fees were a problem for Wan Ahmad, she would volunteer for the campaign to help pay for his travel to Australia and engage lawyers.
“But he has to declare his assets publicly and prove he really cannot afford to do so,” she told a press conference in Parliament.
“He should also show us the necessary documents to reveal the source of the funds.”