The withdrawal of 47 corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was based on cogent reasons, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) said.
"Based on media reports that the AGC's act to withdraw the charges against Zahid is immoral, the department would like to stress that the decision was made based on reasons given, and accepted by the court.
"When making the decision, the honorable judge stated that the reasons given by the prosecution were cogent," the AGC said in a brief statement this evening.
The department did not state what the reasons were.
Yesterday’s discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) was granted despite Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah finding that the prosecution had established prima facie (answerable case) against the Umno president, who was ordered to enter his defence.
The prosecution in its application said that the DNAA request was for several reasons, including to allow the MACC to conduct further investigations; to look into the possibility that there was selective prosecution; and to wait for the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on former attorney-general Tommy Thomas’ memoir.
AGC’s explanation comes following questions by Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin on whether there were "orders from superiors" for the AGC to withdraw the charges against Zahid.
The former prime minister also said the episode was "immoral" and a "black mark" in the country's judicial history, which could affect investors’ confidence.
Earlier today, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman also threatened to withdraw support from the coalition government, which would deny the latter a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, if the AGC did not explain the decision to withdraw Zahid's charges.
The withdrawal has also raised eyebrows within the government, with Pakatan Harapan components DAP and Amanah urging outgoing Attorney-General Idrus Harun to explain why prosecutors withdrew their case against Zahid. - Mkini
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