PETALING JAYA: Following Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) in his Yayasan Akalbudi case, DAP has vowed to ensure that there is no government interference in court cases.
DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook also urged outgoing Attorney-General Idrus Harun to explain the factors behind the decision to seek a DNAA for Zahid, who is also a deputy prime minister.
Loke said such an explanation from Idrus, who will serve his final day as AG today, is crucial to safeguard the people’s confidence in Malaysia’s legal system.
He acknowledged that the High Court’s decision to grant Zahid a DNAA for all his 47 corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering charges had been strongly criticised by various parties, including civil society groups and activists.
“The prosecution’s request for a DNAA to halt proceedings while more detailed investigations are held is up to the discretion of the AG, and the decision was made by the court,” he said in a Facebook post.
“DAP respects the court process and its decision, but for the sake of justice and accountability, Idrus must offer an explanation on the factors that led to the decision.
“DAP will always uphold the principle of separation of powers of the judicial, executive and legislative branches of government, and ensure that there is no executive interference in any court case.”
Zahid had been accused of embezzling millions of ringgit from Yayasan Akalbudi and accepting bribes for various projects during his tenure as the home minister between 2013 and 2018.
At the resumption of his trial yesterday morning, he was granted a DNAA on an application by the prosecution. Zahid’s lawyer, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, asked the court to acquit the Umno president.
The DNAA allows the prosecution to resume the case or bring a case against Zahid at any time in the future, based on similar facts and evidence.
This was met with cynicism by Perikatan Nasional leaders, while former Bersih chairmen Maria Chin Abdullah and Ambiga Sreenevasan also criticised the prosecution’s move to apply for a DNAA. - FMT
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