GEORGE TOWN: A Pakatan Harapan lawmaker today said it was improper for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to broadcast live the purported recorded telephone conversations between a former prime minister and other individuals in a press conference yesterday.
Stressing that such an action was regrettable, lawyer and DAP's Bukit Gelugor member of parliament Ramkarpal Singh said MACC commissioner Latheefa Koya should not have done so as this could amount to a trial by media of those implicated in the said recordings.
"No doubt, we all want to know and get to the bottom of what was allegedly said in the said recordings, and whether or not the individuals involved are responsible for any offence which may have been committed.
"But that is the job of the courts, not the media, or for that matter, any agency investigating the individuals purportedly in the said recordings," he said today.
Yesterday, the MACC dropped a bombshell, releasing audio clips allegedly implicating Najib, his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and several others in what was described as an indication of "abuse of power" and "subversion of justice".
The clips, almost 50 minutes long in total, were played during a press conference called by Latheefa, who described the contents as "shocking, sordid and very disguisting".
Ramkarpal said spying on people in their telephone conversations may be unconstitutional although it may be provided for in law today.
He said he personally felt it was unconstitutional and could not be condoned as it very much infringes the rights to privacy.
Whether or not such conversations evidences criminal offences, Ramkarpal added, was for the MACC or the police to investigate and present in court.
"If such a trend were to continue, we will soon see alleged criminals being found guilty in a press conference and not a court of law.
"If there is evidence against the individuals implicated in the said recordings, charge them and present those recordings in court as evidence for its consideration.
"Those accused would have every right to challenge those recordings and it would be for the court to decide if such a challenge is sustainable or not.
"It is not for the government to dictate how the MACC goes about its affairs as it is an independent agency but the rule of law must be observed and the actions of the MACC here are inconsistent with it," he said.