Relieve Zahid of DPM duty until court cases cleared, Bersatu No 2 tells PM

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should be relieved of his duty as the deputy prime minister, pending the conclusion of the court cases against him, said Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

He said this is because Zahid's position in the government while he undergoes graft proceedings exerts undue pressure on the courts.

“To ensure that the court cases against him proceed without further delays or disruption, Zahid should be relieved of his duty as the deputy prime minister," said Faizal (above) in a statement.

The former Perak menteri besar was commenting on Zahid's recent application to the Kuala Lumpur High Court to have his passport returned permanently to him to enable him to carry out his official duties as deputy prime minister.

In an affidavit in support of the application, Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, said he had been mandated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to represent him in several administrative matters, and not having his own passport poses a hindrance to his duty as the deputy premier.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Zahid's passport was previously surrendered to the court as an additional bail condition after he was charged with 47 charges of corruption, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering involving Akalbudi Foundation funds, of which the proceedings are now at the defence stage.

'Exerts undue pressure'

Elaborating, Faizal said Zahid's application, citing the country's interests, exerted undue pressure on the courts, as well as the presiding judge, and this could dampen the case proceeding.

"Returning the passport will cause more delays in the proceedings, and the case will take longer to wrap up.

"The fact that the country has a deputy prime minister who's still facing 47 charges in the court is a black mark on the cabinet, the government, and an insult to the majority of voters who cast their ballots in the 15th general election, hoping for a clean, transparent government," said Faizal.

As such, Faizal further urged Anwar to insist on relieving Zahid of his duty, to focus on the latter's court case, and clear himself of the charges.

"This is to ensure a free and fair judiciary, as well as to guarantee a transparent proceeding that is not marred by any form of interference, or delays." - Mkini