KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran, who was the lead prosecutor in Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's corruption trial today confirmed that she opted for an early retirement.
The senior prosecutor had been the lead DPP in the case where Zahid is accused of misappropriating RM31 million of charity foundation Yayasan Akal Budi (YAB) funds.
"Yes, I opted for an early retirement and applied for leave starting Nov 1," she told BH when contacted.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun in a statement yesterday said the decision to drop Raja Rozela in Zahid's corruption case was to ensure continuity following the latter's request for early retirement.
He said Raja Rozela had applied for early retirement on April 3 this year, which was subsequently approved and would come into effect on Nov 1, 2023.
"The decision has been made to ensure that the prosecution towards Zahid would not be affected, apart from ensuring that the AG's Chambers can uphold justice in accordance with the jurisdiction of the AG allocated under Clause 3 Article 145 of the Federal Constitution.
"Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar has been chosen as the lead prosecutor in the case involving Zahid based on his 30-year experience as deputy public prosecutor.
"He is currently the Appellate and Trial Division head which handles Federal Court and Appeals Court cases, including the Sulu invasion in Lahad Datu, Sabah," he said.
Zahid, 70, is facing 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, graft and money laundering involving YAB funds.
He was charged on Oct 19, 2018 and has since been ordered to enter his defence.
Zahid's lawyers have, however, filed representation letters to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) to have his charges dropped but a decision on the matter is pending.
The Umno president's defence team has contended their client should be freed as new evidence has emerged in the case.