Prosecutors are appealing against the Shah Alam High Court decision in 2022 to grant a discharge amounting to an acquittal (DAA) to Zahid over 40 graft charges linked to VLN.
The Court of Appeal today issued the Attorney-General Chamber (AGC) an ultimatum to decide on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s representation for the AGC’s consideration to discontinue its appeal in the latter’s acquittal in the foreign visa system (VLN) contract case.
A three-member bench led by Court of Appeal judge Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail also allowed for today’s appeal hearing to be adjourned to another date following a request from Ahmad Zahid’s lawyers since the status of their representations to the AGC were still undecided.
“Whatever representations (made), the prosecution must provide an answer (on the new date),” Hadhariah said, after also taking into consideration the voluminous notes of proceedings and submissions filed in regard to the present appeal.
At the onset of the hearing, Ahmad Zahid’s counsel Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik had informed and subsequently asked to be allowed an adjournment of today’s court proceedings following representations made, with the latest on February 7.
Ahmad Zahid had previously submitted similar representations calling for the prosecution to withdraw its appeal in January 2023.
“We understand that the representation is pending consideration.
“So, I think it is most fair and just for the Attorney General to carefully consider the representation made by the respondent,” Hisyam said.
Also appearing for Ahmad Zahid was lawyer Hamidi Mohd Noh who seconded Hisyam’s request for adjournment, citing additional time to be given for the defence to extensively study the submissions filed by the prosecution just last week.
AGC Trial and Appeals division head Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar who appeared for the prosecution, did not object to the defence’s request for adjournment.
Sitting with Hadhariah were Court of Appeal judges Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk SM Komathy Suppiah.
The court then fixed September 9 for hearing.