Muda will deny govt two-thirds majority if AGC doesn't explain Zahid’s DNAA

 

Muda has threatened to withdraw support for the coalition government - which would effectively deny them a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat - if there were no detailed explanation from the Attorney-General’s Chambers on its decision to withdraw the 47 corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Its president, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, said his party would not hesitate to re-evaluate its position in the coalition and is considering a street protest, saying the DNAA granted to Zahid is “one of the biggest red lines crossed”.

“That’s why Muda has taken the measure of launching a protest campaign on the streets, on social media as well as a ‘Kempen Dakwa Zahid’ which is based on three claims. We demand for those claims to be fulfilled.

“If those claims are not fulfilled, we will take actions as a party,” he said at a press conference at Muda’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

The AGC's move to withdraw Zahid's charges yesterday led to the Kuala Lumpur High Court granting the Umno president a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA).

DNAA opens the possibility of Zahid being recharged again if prosecutors wish to revisit the matter.

The Anwar Ibrahim administration had come to power in November last year with 148 MPs on the government bench - just enough for a two-thirds majority that should, in theory, allow the government to amend the Federal Constitution.

The 148 included Syed Saddiq, who is the Muar MP.

At present, however, the government has 147 MPs after the Pulai seat fell vacant following the death of Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub.

If Amanah wins back the Pulai seat on Saturday, this would have given the government 148 MPs again.

However, if Muda goes through with its threat today, the government will be back to 147 MPs.

Party’s demand

Meanwhile, Muda secretary-general Amir Hariri Abd Hadi elaborated on the three claims the party is demanding through “Kempen Dakwa Zahid”.

Amir asserted that the AGC must provide an explanation of the DNAA granted to Zahid during the parliamentary sitting which will reconvene next week, and not through a press statement so that it can be debated.

Muda secretary-general Amir Hariri Abd Hadi

“Secondly, we also demand the separation of the public prosecutor’s office from the AGC immediately to ensure that there is no interference from executives in any court case. We also ask for the government to provide a timeline on when this can be implemented.

“And thirdly, we urge the public prosecutor to charge Zahid in court immediately. We also urge that no other cases, that involve the people's money, be dropped like what happened to Zahid’s case.

"We also stress that the Muda president’s case should not be dropped; he (Syed Saddiq) has concluded his defence and is just waiting for the verdict.

“But will this happen to Najib Abdul Razak’s case? That is the big question that we have,” he said.

Setting precedent

Muda deputy president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz, meanwhile, said the DNAA granted to Zahid is a clear signal that the coalition government is not serious about fighting issues of misconduct in the country.

She also questioned if Zahid’s case would set a precedent for cases involving other politicians who are facing charges in court.

Muda deputy president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz

“Does this mean that when there’s another high-profile case that enters defence, the AGC can withdraw the charges by granting a DNAA?

“After this, if another case enters the self-defence stage, can the AGC apply to release without acquitting (DNAA)?

“Muda calls on all MPs of the coalition government to give their statements on this issue. This is important because the coalition government was formed on the basis of fighting hard against corruption. This is also the reason why Muda formed the government today,” Amira said.

The Puteri Wangsa state assemblyperson reminded the AGC of its responsibility to manage the people’s perception on this matter.

“How will the AGC manage perceptions and increase public confidence towards it when there hasn’t been any official explanation on the DNAA granted to Zahid?

“The official explanation needs to be given immediately because the public is making their own perceptions and the AGC has a big responsibility to manage the people’s perceptions." - Mkini