Govt has no power to influence court's decision over Zahid's DNAA, says Tok Mat

MUAR: The government has no power to influence the High Court's decision to grant Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) over 47 graft charges he previously faced.

Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the court instead has full authority to determine the next course of actions after representation letters were submitted, which led to Zahid's discharge.

"In Zahid's case, I believe that there was a representation from his lawyer who presented new evidence which could raise several doubts on the case. Hence, the judge will rule beyond reasonable doubt without hesitation.

"If there is any doubt, I believe that the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) will be uncomfortable, and they will withdraw (the case) so this is why the case was given a DNAA.

"The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki also said that his officers will continue to investigate and review (the case) from a different angle as we cannot prosecute people under the same charges," he said when met by reporters after attending a programme in Simpang Jeram with Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Nazri Abdul Rahman for the state seat by-election.

On Monday, The High Court granted Ahmad Zahid a DNAA for 47 charges involving scores of millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB).

Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah discharged Zahid, 70, who is also the Rural and Regional Development minister, after allowing deputy public prosecutor Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar's application, stating that the Attorney-General's office wanted to halt all proceedings against him at this stage.

-- BERNAMA

Tags: by-election, Simpang Jeram, Umno, Zahid, DNAA, Mohamad Hasan