PAS backs officials who filed appeal against Rafizi’s acquittal

PAS information chief Kamaruzaman Mohamad. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Civil servants in the Attorney-General’s Chambers have been defended by PAS for filing an appeal against the acquittal of PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli on a charge of violating banking secrecy.

PAS information chief Kamaruzaman Mohamad said “officials in the Attorney General’s Chambers should be protected from political interference, they should be praised instead of (being threatened with) disciplinary action” for filing the appeal, which the party said was a matter of routine.

Instead, the Attorney-General, Tommy Thomas, should be investigated for saying who that he would withdraw the appeal, after being criticised by Rafizi.

Thomas has said that he would take disciplinary action against those officials who filed the appeal.

PAS questioned the independence of the Attorney-General. “Surprisingly, Tommy Thomas reportedly announced his decision after he spoke with the chairman of the Election Commission, Azhar Harun. What does the EC chairman have to do with this case, such that hthe Attorney-General does not want to appeal?”

PAS said disclosure of banking data from a company account was a serious matter and would affect business confidence.

PAS also criticized PKR President Anwar Ibrahim for “interfering” with the Attorney-General’s chambers by seeking to withdraw the appeal.