The discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over the corruption case involving Yayasan Akalbudi was the court’s decision, said Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He told a press conference today that it was due process in court - just like how the Kuala Lumpur High Court acquitted former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin of abuse of power charges on Aug 15.
“So if the court made the same decision today, then it’s the court’s decision.
“I don’t want to make any assumptions more than that or predict the effects of the court’s decision (on Zahid’s case) on the outcome of any elections,” Saifuddin (above) said after officiating the Immigration Department’s Baitul Mahabbah at Kompleks Kediaman Kakitangan Awam (KKKA) KLIA in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
The minister was responding to questions pertaining to the High Court’s discharge of Zahid from all 47 charges and its potential impact on the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections in Johor.
Asked if there are concerns that Perikatan Nasional will use the DNAA granted to Zahid as political ammunition during the campaign period of the Johor by-elections, Saifuddin said he would not be surprised as it’s a norm for a political party to do so.
“Whatever they want to use, that’s what a political party would do.
“It will continue to happen, with or without the decision by the court (to grant Zahid DNAA). It will continue.
“So I consider it to be a norm in politics,” he added.
This morning, the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted Zahid a DNAA of 12 charges for criminal breach of trust under Section 409 of the Penal Code; eight charges under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009; and 27 charges under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
DNAA opens the possibility of Zahid being recharged in the future if prosecutors wish to revisit the matter.
Domestic helper abuse case
Separately, on the issue involving a former PKR division youth chief accused of brutally abusing his Indonesian domestic worker, Saifuddin said PKR will let the due process take place since it’s a police case.
“Let the investigations be carried out. If it is true that he is a member of PKR… of course, the party has a process to take regarding cases like this.
“At the same time, as the party’s secretary-general, I will check with the main membership registry regarding his status as a party member. Only then will we draft a decision on this issue or the next course of action,” he added.
Earlier today, Malaysiakini reported that a former PKR division Youth chief was accused of abusing his Indonesian domestic worker, who is now sheltered by the Indonesian consulate.
The worker alleged that the politician told her to strip before scalding her with hot water as punishment for leaving the front gate open.
This was just one of the alleged abuses listed in the police report lodged with the Ampang Jaya police in mid-August sighted by Malaysiakini.
The 57-year-old from Central Java also alleged that the politician did not pay her salary for the four years she worked for him and subjected her to verbal abuse.
Malaysiakini confirmed that a police investigation into the case is ongoing under Section 324 of the Penal Code and has contacted the politician for comment. His identity has been withheld pending his reply.
PKR chief organising secretary Zahir Hassan confirmed that the politician is still a party member but no longer holds a position.- Mkini
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