Politics a factor driving call to review Zahid’s CBT case, says analyst

Academic Syaza Shukri says the DAP Youth may have also inadvertently raised questions on whether it had applied the same pressure when cooperation with Barisan Nasional was indispensable.

An analyst said DAP Youth’s call to revisit Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s Yayasan Akalbudi case could raise questions about its consistency in calling for action in corruption cases.

PETALING JAYA:

The recent call by DAP Youth to revisit Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s criminal breach of trust case involving Yayasan Akalbudi is “partly political” in nature, an analyst says.

Syaza Shukri.

But Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said that while there was justification given that Zahid’s conditional acquittal had long troubled reform-minded voters, it also raised questions.

For instance, has the party applied the same pressure when Barisan Nasional’s cooperation was indispensable in holding the unity government together, she pointed out.

Against the backdrop of strained ties between BN and Pakatan Harapan, driven by BN’s decision to contest solo or team up with the opposition in recent state elections, this is a pertinent question.

“Perhaps DAP thinks this is the best time (to make such a call),” Syaza said. After all, she said, the relationship between the two sides is already deteriorating and the alliance at the federal level is unlikely to go further.

“That means PH may not be able to depend on BN’s electoral support going forward,” she told FMT.

Syaza noted that DAP deputy secretary-general Ramkarpal Singh had already demanded an explanation when the Yayasan Akalbudi case was classified as requiring no further action (NFA) earlier this year.

“(Nonetheless) renewed pressure will reinforce the perception that anti-corruption principles are applied more vigorously when an ally becomes politically inconvenient,” she said.

She also noted that while some may regard DAP Youth’s call as “belated”, the party would suffer greater reputational damage by remaining silent.

Syaza said DAP Youth could limit the damage by acknowledging that their call could have come in a more timely manner.

“It has always demanded transparency in other cases involving BN, PH or opposition figures, so its credibility will depend on whether it applies the same standard across party lines,” she added.

On Sept 4, DAP Youth urged the attorney-general to review Zahid’s case, saying the government’s anti-corruption agenda should not exempt politicians within its own ranks and that the same standards should apply across the board.

In 2023, the High Court granted Zahid a discharge not amounting to an acquittal on 47 charges of corruption, money laundering and criminal breach of trust in the Yayasan Akalbudi case.

Chin Yee Mun.

Chin Yee Mun of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman described the call by DAP Youth as a “logical step”, given the tensions between PH and BN.

However, he questioned the impact of the youth wing’s demand, especially on the party grassroots and the public.

“For DAP loyalists, this may seem like the party is returning to its original struggle. On the other hand, non-loyalists may see it as a strategic but insincere move, which could lead people to question why the party had not made the demand earlier,” he said.

James Chin.

James Chin of the University of Tasmania said DAP Youth’s call would draw public support, especially from those who questioned how the deputy prime minister could have secured a conditional discharge for all 47 charges.

He said it was obvious that DAP Youth’s call was driven by the party’s electoral losses in Johor and Negeri Sembilan after clashing with BN.

“DAP understands, like all Malaysians should, that Umno is out to destroy DAP, and also the whole PH government. So it is not surprising that they are calling for a revisit of the case against Zahid,” he added.

All is not lost

James Chin also believes this is not the end of the road. Rather than look at DAP Youth’s action as a signal to sever ties with Umno for good, he said it is a reminder that no party could continue to undermine DAP.

On the other hand, Chin Yee Mun believes the youth wing’s action could cause a rift between DAP and Umno and that could lead to the two parties severing ties.

Syaza has a different take on the issue. She said DAP Youth’s action could be perceived as a signal to end ties with Umno but pointed out that the youth wing usually articulates hardline positions to test political response without committing the central leadership.

“This looks more like strategic distancing and the recovery of DAP’s reform credentials than a definitive declaration of divorce,” she added. - FMT