KUALA LUMPUR: The defence team of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will file for an appeal for a total acquittal for all his corruption charges for misappropriating funds belonging to Yayasan Akal Budi (YAB).
Senior lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Pok Teik who represented Zahid said they respected the decision by both the prosecution and the court and would file an appeal by tomorrow.
This follows the High Court granting the deputy prime minister a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) for his 47 charges related to YAB.
"Alhamdullilah because the prosecution have invoked their powers to stop proceedings. This is good because for the time being although there is no total acquittal, there is a discharge from the 47 charges.
"The learned Judge did not appreciate our arguments - we submitted before his Lordship that Datuk Seri (Ahmad Zahid) is entitled to discharge amounting to acquittal. However, the Court did not agree.
"We respect the decision of his Lordship and we will make an appeal to the Court of Appeal with regards to the decision made this morning. We are asking for a total acquittal," he said to the media after the proceedings.
Zahid was discharged of 12 criminal breach of trust (CBT) charges, eight counts of bribery and 27 for money laundering, involving scores of millions of ringgit belonging to YAB.
Zahid hugged his supporters and family members who sat inside the packed courtroom when the proceedings ended.
He was accused of committing the offences between March 28, 2016, and April 11, 2018.