Let Kevin’s spirit inspire us by Tan Sri Johan Jaafar
THE late Anthony Kevin Morais will be remembered for his conviction. He was tireless and fearless in his commitment. He was exemplary in more ways than one. To his colleagues, he was more than a deputy public prosecutor (DPP) who was doing his job, he showed them what professionalism is all about.
His death shocked the nation. Abducted on the way to work on Sept 4, his body was found in an oil drum filled with cement on Malaysia Day, Sept 16. Such a dastardly act. What a sad ending for Kevin. The nation mourned.
Conspiracy theories, almost a cottage industry in Malaysia now, went into full gear when he disappeared.
After all he was involved in many high-profile cases. The Attorney-General’s Chambers had to come out with a statement that he was not involved in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd investigation, to help neutralise the conspiracy theorists. The rumour mills quietened a bit when seven men were charged with his murder.
Kevin will enter the history books as the first DPP to be murdered, something almost unthinkable in a country like ours. Perhaps it is a sign of the times. A lot of things will never be the same again. The evil things people do to others!
Kevin was targeted for his integrity no less. He was incorruptible. The case that he was working on proved to be his last, and believed to be the reason for his murder. But Kevin feared nothing, not even his safety. And he was always in the thick of things.
His last tweet posted on Aug 30 speak volumes of the person he was. It reads: “chambernews@27/8 PP vs Datuk Seri Zubir. Trial continues. Datuk Seri Azhar Hamid completes his testimony. Trial continues.”
Although it was not related to the case that is believed to have resulted in his murder, Kevin was there probably to lend a helping hand. And as the tweet says twice, the trial will continue. With or without him, that particular trial will continue, so too many other trials thanks to his efforts.
Kevin spent 10 years with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) from 2004 to last year. Understandably, his colleagues at MACC have fond memories of him. After all, he spent a significant part of his career there. A moot court at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy (MACA) was named after him. A simple ceremony, replete with tradition, was the least the MACC could do to honour him.
It was Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed’s first public appearance after his surgery. The MACC chief commissioner spoke for a while before inviting Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull, his deputy, to read his text. Shukri was overwhelmed with emotion at one point, so too, were many of Kevin’s colleagues in the room. It was the day MACC celebrated its 48th anniversary.
A fitting tribute for his contributions to the MACC. As Abu Kassim pointed out, the last few months have been the most challenging for the MACC. It had never been tested as much before, the resolve of its officers was demanded and it was the support of the people that saw it through one of the most difficult times in its history.
At about the same time, the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference was held in Putrajaya.
The Putrajaya Declaration on Zero Tolerance on Impunity was adopted. The eight resolutions demand sacrifices. And political will. It was a tall order not only for Malaysia but for all nations. The declaration also noted the fact that “grand corruption” should become a crime in the international law, thus enabling international institutions and alliances to prosecute them, whoever and whenever they are.
According to Abu Kassim, Kevin was friendly, humble and courteous. At MACC, he helped change the old way of doing things. He was the person to be referred to on legal matters, at any time and anywhere.
At the Attorney-General’s Chambers, he excelled, as expected. He represented Malaysia in international conferences and outfits, particularly the United Nations Convention on Anti-Corruption and the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime.
He was very much involved in ensuring that the curriculum at MACA is of high standards, in line with the International Anti-Corruption Academy. Kevin was lecturing on law and procedures at MACA, the very place where the moot court now bears his name.
Fighting corruption is never easy. Kevin knew that. So too, the 2,900 souls working at the MACC. In him they saw a shining testimony of an unassuming personality trying to do good. He was still an “Encik” despite his many years in the service, perhaps he wasn’t complaining. Kevin will remind us that the fight against corruption is still long and tedious, but fight we must. May Kevin’s spirit prevail to inspire all. The mantra attributed to him: “prosecution without fear and favour” should be the rallying cry for all graft-busters. He must not die in vain.
http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/10/let-kevin%E2%80%99s-spirit-inspire-us
His death shocked the nation. Abducted on the way to work on Sept 4, his body was found in an oil drum filled with cement on Malaysia Day, Sept 16. Such a dastardly act. What a sad ending for Kevin. The nation mourned.
Conspiracy theories, almost a cottage industry in Malaysia now, went into full gear when he disappeared.
After all he was involved in many high-profile cases. The Attorney-General’s Chambers had to come out with a statement that he was not involved in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd investigation, to help neutralise the conspiracy theorists. The rumour mills quietened a bit when seven men were charged with his murder.
Kevin will enter the history books as the first DPP to be murdered, something almost unthinkable in a country like ours. Perhaps it is a sign of the times. A lot of things will never be the same again. The evil things people do to others!
Kevin was targeted for his integrity no less. He was incorruptible. The case that he was working on proved to be his last, and believed to be the reason for his murder. But Kevin feared nothing, not even his safety. And he was always in the thick of things.
His last tweet posted on Aug 30 speak volumes of the person he was. It reads: “chambernews@27/8 PP vs Datuk Seri Zubir. Trial continues. Datuk Seri Azhar Hamid completes his testimony. Trial continues.”
Although it was not related to the case that is believed to have resulted in his murder, Kevin was there probably to lend a helping hand. And as the tweet says twice, the trial will continue. With or without him, that particular trial will continue, so too many other trials thanks to his efforts.
Kevin spent 10 years with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) from 2004 to last year. Understandably, his colleagues at MACC have fond memories of him. After all, he spent a significant part of his career there. A moot court at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy (MACA) was named after him. A simple ceremony, replete with tradition, was the least the MACC could do to honour him.
It was Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed’s first public appearance after his surgery. The MACC chief commissioner spoke for a while before inviting Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull, his deputy, to read his text. Shukri was overwhelmed with emotion at one point, so too, were many of Kevin’s colleagues in the room. It was the day MACC celebrated its 48th anniversary.
A fitting tribute for his contributions to the MACC. As Abu Kassim pointed out, the last few months have been the most challenging for the MACC. It had never been tested as much before, the resolve of its officers was demanded and it was the support of the people that saw it through one of the most difficult times in its history.
At about the same time, the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference was held in Putrajaya.
The Putrajaya Declaration on Zero Tolerance on Impunity was adopted. The eight resolutions demand sacrifices. And political will. It was a tall order not only for Malaysia but for all nations. The declaration also noted the fact that “grand corruption” should become a crime in the international law, thus enabling international institutions and alliances to prosecute them, whoever and whenever they are.
According to Abu Kassim, Kevin was friendly, humble and courteous. At MACC, he helped change the old way of doing things. He was the person to be referred to on legal matters, at any time and anywhere.
At the Attorney-General’s Chambers, he excelled, as expected. He represented Malaysia in international conferences and outfits, particularly the United Nations Convention on Anti-Corruption and the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime.
He was very much involved in ensuring that the curriculum at MACA is of high standards, in line with the International Anti-Corruption Academy. Kevin was lecturing on law and procedures at MACA, the very place where the moot court now bears his name.
Fighting corruption is never easy. Kevin knew that. So too, the 2,900 souls working at the MACC. In him they saw a shining testimony of an unassuming personality trying to do good. He was still an “Encik” despite his many years in the service, perhaps he wasn’t complaining. Kevin will remind us that the fight against corruption is still long and tedious, but fight we must. May Kevin’s spirit prevail to inspire all. The mantra attributed to him: “prosecution without fear and favour” should be the rallying cry for all graft-busters. He must not die in vain.
http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/10/let-kevin%E2%80%99s-spirit-inspire-us
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