DAP, Amanah urge AG to explain Zahid’s DNAA

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DAP – the party with the most MPs in the government – has urged outgoing Attorney-General Idrus Harun to explain why prosecutors withdrew their case against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Amanah also issued a similar demand later.

Yesterday, Zahid was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for 47 corruption charges related to Yayasan Akalbudi funds.

DAP said it “took note” of the public’s critical views on the matter and stressed that the withdrawal was the sole discretion of the attorney-general.

“DAP respects the (judicial) process and the court’s decision. However, to ensure justice and accountability, Idrus should explain the factors which led to the decision.

Bernama

“This explanation is important to ensure the public and the international community remain confident about our judicial system,” DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said in a statement.

Loke also implied that Putrajaya did not influence the attorney-general’s decision.

“DAP will always uphold the principle of separation of powers between the judiciary, executive and legislative and will ensure that there is no executive interference in any court cases,” he added.

In a separate statement, Amanah secretary-general Mohd Hatta Ramli voiced similar sentiments as DAP in regard to respecting the judiciary and its decision to grant Zahid the DNAA.

“However, Amanah wishes to state, on the basis of integrity and responsibility, that the attorney-general and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) must give a detailed explanation of the reasons or arguments which led to the decision (to apply for DNAA),” he said.

Hatta added that this explanation can enlighten all, and uphold the integrity of legal institutions in the country, particularly the AGC and MACC.

The Anwar Ibrahim administration has been met with brickbats after the prosecution decided to withdraw its case against Zahid yesterday.

Incidentally, today is Idrus’s last day as attorney-general and he is on leave. He will be succeeded by Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh.