KUALA LUMPUR: After six days of trial, the prosecution in former Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO) chief Datuk Hasanah Ab Hamid's RM50.4 million criminal breach of trust (CBT) case has decided not to prosecute her any further.
Following this, High Court judge Datuk Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to the 64-year-old accused.
The prosecution had from the onset of the resumption of the trial today made an application for an order of a DNAA.
In a brief decision, Shahrir said the prosecution had provided valid grounds in exercising its powers under the law to not further prosecute the accused.
He said the prosecution had also explained about a new development which was discovered in the case.
"I also find that the new development as explained by the DPP is a temporary impediment because the DPP confirmed that the accused will be made to face the charge in the future.
The judge added that the court could not compel the prosecution to proceed with the case against the accused if it decided to withdraw the charge.
"Therefore, I hereby order the accused to be given a DNAA," the judge said.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Iskandar Ahmad conducted the prosecution while Hasanah was represented by counsel Datuk Suhaimi Ibrahim.
A total of 10 prosecution witnesses had been called to the stand to testify in the trial which started on Oct 6, last year.
On Oct 25, 2018, Hasanah claimed trial to CBT involving USD12 million (RM50.4 million).
Hasanah, in her capacity as the director-general of the Research Department, an outfit under the Prime Minister's Department, was accused of committing the offence while being entrusted with the money.
She was accused of committing the offence at the director-general's office of the department in Putrajaya between Apr 30 and May 9, the same year.