Putrajaya has been urged to explain why senior prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran was dropped from the team handling the trial against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for misappropriating Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
In a statement, Bersatu legal and constitution bureau deputy chief Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif said Raja Rozela's removal from the case comes at a critical juncture because Zahid's representation to the attorney general's chambers for the case to be dropped was pending decision.
"Our country’s international reputation, in terms of business and investments, will be affected by how this prosecution is handled.
Any sign or perception that there has been interference or that the nation is soft on corruption will adversely affect our reputation as a place of business.
"No one wants to do business with corrupt regimes," she said.
Shasha (above) said that while Raja Rozela has the right to stay silent on the matter, the same cannot be said of the attorney-general and the government.
"The prime minister recently said he wants to end corruption in this country. But he must walk the talk. Otherwise, it would be just empty rhetoric to fish votes.
"His government must first come clean on this gravely concerning development in the Zahid corruption case," she added.
In 2019, Zahid was charged with 47 offences relating to Yayasan Akal Budi, a charitable group he founded. In 2022, he was ordered to enter his defence.
Earlier this year, Zahid the Umno president submitted two representation letters to the attorney-general, urging that charges against him be dropped and citing "new evidence".
Late last year, Zahid had acquitted by a different court over the alleged receipt of bribes from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) to extend the company's contract to operate the one-stop centre (OSC) service in China and a local visa system. - Mkini
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