Inadequate explanation on Zahid’s case will impact BN, says think tank

Insap deputy chairman Pamela Yong said it does not bode well for the government if it does not address the people’s concerns head-on.

PETALING JAYA: An MCA-linked think tank has warned that a lack of a “clear and convincing” explanation on deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s conditional discharge will have repercussions on Umno and Barisan Nasional.

“Up till today, there has yet to be a clear and convincing explanation with regard to Zahid’s discharge,” Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap) chairman Pamela Yong said.

She added that the absence of a proper explanation will lead to the people’s trust in BN being further eroded.

Yong also expressed her concern over Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul’s decision to reject a motion by the opposition to debate Zahid’s discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) and the negative message and impact that came with it.

“It certainly does not bode well for the government to not address the people’s concerns head-on.

“This too will most definitely affect the people’s confidence towards this unity government,” she said.

Last week, Zahid was granted a DNAA on all 47 of his corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering charges, following an application from the Attorney-General’s Chambers for a conditional discharge.

He had been accused of embezzling millions of ringgit from his foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi, and accepting bribes for various projects during his tenure as the home minister between 2013 and 2018. - FMT