Latest news with #Attorney-General
ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
Kathleen Folbigg speaks out against 'insulting' $2 million compensation payment
Kathleen Folbigg has vowed to keep on fighting, describing a $2 million ex gratia payment as a "lowball" and "insulting" attempt to compensate her wrongful imprisonment. Once labelled Australia's worst female serial killer, Ms Folbigg was found guilty in 2003 of killing her four young children and spent 20 years behind bars. In 2023, her convictions were quashed when new medical evidence emerged to suggest her children died of natural causes. Last week, the NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley granted her the compensation payout, which has since attracted widespread criticism from legal and scientific experts for being "totally inadequate". Speaking out for the first time, Ms Folbigg said the lack of transparency as to how the state government came to that sum has left her feeling "confused" and "shocked". "Is it set-up money? Or is it just an, 'Okay, we need to get this off our books?'," she said. "It feels like it was a tick the box, let's get this done sort of situation without too much feeling, empathy or understanding going on in the process. "It's pretty much a slap in the face." Ex gratia payments are made at the discretion of the government. Ms Folbigg applied for one in 2024. Ms Folbigg thought her "fighting days" would be over when she received reparations, but instead she felt like it was "go away" money. "We're all exhausted and tired, but it looks like there's one more fight just yet," she said. Having missed what, she called "the best years of her life" in jail, Ms Folbigg had hoped the compensation would help her to be "comfortable for the rest of [her] life," and provide her with some financial security. "Realistically, I've got no option really to be getting [superannuation]. "I'm honest enough to say mental health care is going to be needed for the rest of my life after this, and that is not free." She addedhow her life-long dream to own a home has been crushed, as well as her wish to repay her pro bono legal team. When asked how much the state government should instead have compensated her, she said she was unable to put a number on it. Over two years on from her release, Ms Folbigg feels failed. She claims NSW Premier Chris Minns has refused to sit down with her and her legal team to discuss compensation, and has not offered her an apology. "I've never had a 'Terribly sorry you've gone through this Ms Folbigg and that's a little bit concerning'," she said. On Monday, Mr Minns rejected suggestions the Attorney-General decided on that figure because he "isn't convinced of her innocence," instead doubling down on his previous comments that $2 million was all the state could afford. "Obviously the Attorney-General would never have pardoned Kathleen Folbigg if there was any question about her innocence in the eyes of the law and that shouldn't be forgotten as part of the government's decisions here," Mr Minns said. "We don't have $20 million, $30 million, $15 million just lying around — it necessarily has to come from other programs." Despite conceding the sum does not reflect the length of time Ms Folbigg unjustly spent behind bars, Mr Minns reiterated the 58-year-old and her lawyers were free to sue his government if they wished to seek further compensation. "When you've seen large-scale payments from the government … it's usually, in fact as far as I know, only on the back of a settlement reached between the state and the individual as a result of civil litigation. "This wasn't a settlement, it's an ex gratia payment. "I understand there are people who contributed to Kathleen Folbigg's release who were pro bono for her over that period of time, but I need to make a decision on whether the state government has to pay those lawyers, and I can't justify it," he said. Ms Folbigg has always maintained her innocence over the deaths of her children Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura Folbigg. They all died when they were babies or toddlers between 1989 and 1999, in the state's Hunter region. While she managed to grieve their deaths "in a very different manner", Ms Folbigg said she has particularly struggled to move on from her youngest, Laura's passing. "I think enough time has gone past … I don't baulk at talking about them," she said. "They deserve the respect [of] being spoken about. They existed, they lived, they died." Two decades after she was wrongfully convicted, new genetic testing helped cast reasonable doubt over her guilt. Ms Folbigg said that if she's awarded further compensation in the future, she wants to help people with cases like hers, and bring genetic testing to the forefront of evidence. She also wishes to support women who have experienced losing children.
New Straits Times
30-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Doors remain open for Faisal Halim case if new leads emerge, says Azalina
KUALA LUMPUR: The investigation into the acid attack on national footballer Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim could be reopened if new developments arise in future. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) had found no evidence at present to warrant further action. "Based on the A-GC's feedback, an investigation paper was opened by the police regarding the acid attack in Kota Damansara. "The A-GC has reviewed the case based on the information and documents provided, but found that there is currently insufficient evidence to support any further legal action. "However, unlike civil cases, criminal cases are not bound by a statute of limitations. Therefore, should new evidence come to light, the case may still be reopened for further investigation and review," she said in a written parliamentary reply. She was responding to a question from Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN–Alor Star), who sought clarification on the A-GC's decision to classify the investigation as "No Further Action" (NFA). On May 5 last year, Faisal, the top scorer at the 2023 Asian Cup, reportedly sustained fourth-degree burns after an unidentified individual splashed acid on him. As a result, the footballer, affectionately known as "Mickey", underwent multiple surgeries. Faisal's legal team from Messrs. Mohd Ashraf, Nik Zarith & Co had previously announced plans to appeal to the A-G for the case to be reviewed and reopened following the police's decision to close the investigation.
New Straits Times
28-07-2025
- New Straits Times
AGC files appeal against sentence imposed on motoring influencer, brother
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has filed a notice of appeal against the sentence meted out to motoring influencer Tengku Nizarudin Tengku Zainudin and his brother, Tengku Abdul Aziz Tengku Zainudin. The Muar Magistrate's Court 1, on July 25, had sentenced both men to one month's jail and a RM1,500 fine for lodging a false police report on Tengku Nizarudin's alleged disappearance. The court ruled that Tengku Nizaruddin could face an additional three months' imprisonment and Tengku Aziz six months, if they fail to pay the fine. Both paid the fines. However, the AGC, in a statement today, said it would be appealing the sentence. "After studying and reviewing the decision of the Muar Magistrate's Court 1, the department has filed an appeal against the sentence against both offenders," it said. It noted that Section 182 of the Penal Code provides for a maximum jail term of six months and a fine of up to RM2,000, or both. On Saturday, Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar was quoted as saying that the department would re-examine the case. He said that although the court had meted out its sentence, his office would be thoroughly reviewing the charges and the facts of the case. On July 14, Tengku Abdul Aziz had lodged a police report, claiming his brother had gone missing. The next day, a car driven by Tengku Nizarudin was found submerged in Sungai Tui in Bukit Kepong. This prompted a search and rescue operation involving the Fire and Rescue Department and the police. Almost a week later, police investigations showed that the influencer had deliberately submerged his car in the river and had his brother pick him up, before crossing into Thailand via Padang Besar, Perlis. Immigration records confirmed Tengku Nizaruddin's entry into Thailand. In court, their counsel said Tengku Nizaruddin staged the incident due to financial difficulties. Both men were charged with conspiring to give false information to a public servant regarding Tengku Nizaruddin's disappearance, and pleaded guilty to the offence.
New Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Takiyuddin questions constitutionality of auditor general's appointment
KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition lawmaker Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has questioned the legitimacy of Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi's appointment as auditor general (AG) and whether it complies with the Constitution. The Kota Bharu member of parliament argued in the Dewan Rakyat today that Article 105(4) of the Constitution implies that the AG must not be a serving member of the civil service, stressing the importance of independence in the role. He claimed that Wan Suraya was a serving civil servant and last held a position at the Malaysian Institute of Integrity. Takiyuddin cited a legal opinion from the Attorney-General's Chambers, which states that the AG should not be appointed from among active civil servants and that such appointments must be made on a contractual basis in accordance with Article 105(4). "The government must provide an explanation to this house on whether the appointment of the AG from among serving civil servants is constitutional as it clearly presents a conflict of interest," he said during the debate session on the Auditor General's Report 2/2025. He said any conflict of interest in the appointment process could undermine the integrity and legality of the AG's role and reports. "If the appointment is unconstitutional, then any reports or audits conducted under her authority are also invalid, even if they have been tabled in Parliament." In 2023, Wan Suraya was appointed AG In 2023, Wan Suraya was appointed AG in line with Article 105 (1) of the Constitution. The appointment was made with the consent of then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. () Wan Suraya was Malaysian Institute of Integrity chief executive officer from March 2022 to June 2023. She was also secretary-general of the National Unity Ministry and Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry and held positions in the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, including as deputy secretary-general.
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Three accused of kidnapping Palestinian computer expert get a lesser charge
KUALA LUMPUR: Three of the 14 accused charged with kidnapping a Palestinian computer expert to deactivate computer software and hack into mobile phones will have lesser charges levelled against them. This was after the Attorney-General's Chambers (AG-C) accepted their representation last week. On the first day of a five-day trial today, Kuala Lumpur prosecution director Datuk Badius Zaman Ahmad informed High Court judge K. Muniandy that the charges under Section 325 of the Penal Code will be levelled on the first accused Edi Ko'im Said, ninth accused Muhammad Al Hatim Mohd Fauzi and 14th accused Mohd Azwan Jamaludin instead of the original Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act. The representations were sent to the AG-C last month. Section 365 reads kidnapping or abduction with intent, secretly and wrongfully, to confine a person, which provides for a jail term of up to seven years and a fine. Section 3 of the Act defines abduction, wrongful restraint or wrongful confinement for ransom, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. The lawyers representing the accused - Lingswaran Singh, Goh Kim Lian and Adi Zulkarnain Zulkafli - confirmed that their clients were agreeable to the charge under Section 325. Badius told the court that the representation of several of the remaining accused was still being considered by the AG-C. As for the anti-money laundering charges, deputy public prosecutor Noor Zalizan Lazarous said the AG-C did not receive any representation from accused Nidarahayu Zainal, Raibafie Amdan and Tengku Arif Bongsu Tengku Hamid. Muniandy then ruled that the alternative charges against the trio be read out to them on Thursday, as well as to hear the decision of the representation sent by other accused to the AG-C. If the representation of the accused is rejected, the trial will proceed. The judge vacated the trial for tomorrow and Wednesday. All accused were charged with the kidnapping of Omar Z.M. Al-Belbaisy to force him to deactivate computer software and hack into mobile phones in September 2022. The 13 male accused are Mohamad Norakmal Hassan, Dody Junaidi, Tengku Arif Bongsu, Mohamad Naziree Mustapha, Faizull Hardey Mohd Isa, Muhammad Iqmal Abdul Rahis, Mohamad Sufian Saly, Mohd Zaidi Mohd Zain, Tengku Hazarul Ismail Tengku Hamid, Mohd Azwan Jamaludin, Raibafie Amdan, Muhammad Al Hatim Mohd Fauzi and Edy Ko'im. The sole female accused is Nidarahayu, who is married to Raibafie. They are aged between 26 and 59. Also on the prosecution were deputy public prosecutors Mohd Sabri Othman, Izalina Abdullah, Zaileen Nadia Zubir, Shahrizat Amadan, Zulhilmi Latif, Izzat Amir Idham and Shukor Abu Bakar. The other lawyers acting for the accused were Muhammad Amin Abdullah, Wan Muhd Ariff Ameer Wan Normazlan and Goh Cia Yee. In November last year, Muniandy granted each accused a RM50,000 bail with two sureties and imposed several additional conditions. In 2022, they were charged with kidnapping Omar at Jalan Mayang here on Sept 28 with the intention to force him to deactivate computer software and hack into mobile phones.
