We have been following with interest the sensational trial of the murder of Hasleza Ishak in the Taiping High Court. The surprising turn of events where Mat Saad Mat Isa, o­ne of the men originally charged with her murder, who recently pleaded guilty to a lesser offence, and has now blossomed into the prosecution's key witness has raised an interesting question.

It was reported recently in The Star that Isa, o­n Feb 17, confessed that it was Raja Nor Mahani who "wanted Hasleza killed" and who "was the o­ne who had asked for Hasleza to be killed".

In our experience, it is common practice that before an accused is offered a lesser charge in exchange for a plea of guilt, a statement from the accused would be taken by the police. This is especially so when the prosecution wishes to use the accused, after his plea of guilt, as the prosecution's witness.

In our view therefore, the prosecution should have been aware or was aware, at the very latest, of Isa's statements before he gave testimony as reported to have been given o­n Feb 17.

We therefore find it surprising and more disappointing that the attorney-general has yet to prefer any charges against Raja Nor Mahani for her alleged part in Hasleza's murder in view of the recent revelations.

Under Article 8 of the federal constitution, all persons are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection under the law. This means that no o­ne is above the law and this includes the wives of Sultans. For that reason, as a matter of public concern, we would strongly urge the attorney-general to prosecute Raja Nor Mahani immediately lest he be accused of exercising his discretion selectively.

The nation and the family of Hasleza is entitled to have all perpetrators of this heinous crime brought to charge or at very least the alleged perpetrators be made to defend themselves in a court of law.

It was reported o­n Feb 20 in The Star that Isa said "he did not know" that nobody, including the royalty, was above the law. Will the honourable attorney-general show not o­nly to Isa but to this entire nation that nobody is indeed above the law?