PAS election director Sanusi Nor has suggested that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s legal “burdens” played a factor in the Malay nationalist party’s decision to remain in the unity government.
While Sanusi (above) did not name a specific individual in his remarks, he stated that the public should not elect leaders who carry certain burdens, such as those who might backtrack on risky decisions when the matter of “47” is raised.
The Kedah menteri besar is understood to be referring to the discharges not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to Zahid in 2023 over 47 charges on criminal breach of trust, corruption, and money laundering linked to Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
“As a leader, when we have (made) mistakes, (and) we want to take a risky action, people will bring them up, (and then we will have to) make a U-turn - that is the problem when the nation has such leaders. It’s a loss.
“In the future, don’t elect leaders who have baggage (as) when people disturb them (about it), habis la (it’s finished)...(like) when people mention 47,” Sanusi told reporters in Alor Setar today.
Sanusi said this when asked about Zahid’s comments yesterday, affirming that Umno will remain part of the coalition government until the end of the current parliamentary term and the 16th general election.
Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, added that his party had not confirmed any plans to revive old coalitions or political branding that had previously failed, warning against repeating costly political missteps.
He was referring to Muafakat Nasional (MN), a loose and short-lived political alliance formed between Umno and PAS in September 2019, aimed at consolidating the Malay-Muslim vote.
Zahid said the matters were determined during an Umno political bureau meeting on Monday night.
In defence of DNAA
During a special Umno Youth convention last weekend, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh told over 1,000 Umno youth and veteran members, alongside Malay NGO leaders, that Zahid is also prepared to face any future court battles linked to his acquittal from 47 graft charges.
Last month, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) defended its decision to apply for a DNAA for Zahid, asserting that the move was “in strict compliance with the law”.
In a statement, the AGC explained that its DNAA application on Sept 4, 2023, was based on the circumstances at the time, including the need for further investigations.
The statement came following reports that lawyer Syed Amir Syakib Arsalan Syed Ibrahim had filed a judicial review application seeking, among other things, a mandamus order to compel the attorney-general and prosecutors to complete their investigation and review concerning the DNAA.
Various quarters, including the Malaysian People’s Advocacy Coalition (Haram), had previously condemned what it claims to be the release of major “sharks” from corruption cases under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, highlighting Zahid’s DNAA as one such instance. - Mkini
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