Ahmad Zahid has a ‘freer hand’ now in advising PM on GE15 date, say analysts

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s recent acquittal from all 40 graft charges in the Foreign Visa System (VLN) case gives the Umno president a “freer hand” in advising the prime minister on the 15th General Election (GE15), says an analyst.

Senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research (NASR) Dr Azmi Hassan said many groups had previously accused Ahmad Zahid of trying to pressure GE15 to be expedited due to his ongoing court cases.

“But with the acquittal, there’s no more insinuation. So, it gives a freer hand to Ahmad Zahid to advise Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on the general election,” said Azmi.

Azmi also said the acquittal has strengthened Ahmad Zahid’s position as the Umno president.

“I would say there’s no reason for Ahmad Zahid to force the prime minister to dissolve Parliament.

“But Ahmad Zahid has more of a mandate to make any decision regarding the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat,” added Azmi.

Universiti Malaya’s Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the acquittal would recover Ahmad Zahid’s negative image as the Umno president.

“This decision also gives an image to the Umno grassroots that there is selective persecution of their leaders,” added Awang Azman.

Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, associate director at Vriens & Partners, a public policy, government affairs and political risk consultancy, said Ahmad Zahid is likely to use his acquittal to push a narrative that he’s a victim of political persecution.

However, Shazwan noted that Ahmad Zahid is still facing a separate trial involving charity foundation Yayasan Akalbudi.

“It may boost his position from within Umno and among those who may have had doubts on his leadership.

“But the jury is still out on whether his image externally is improved,” said Shazwan.

Ahmad Zahid is still facing 47 charges involving 12 counts of criminal breach of trust in relation to RM31mil of charity foundation Yayasan Akalbudi’s funds, 27 money laundering charges, and eight counts of graft charges of over RM21.25mil in alleged bribes.

On Friday (Sept 23), Ahmad Zahid was freed of all 40 graft charges in the VLN case after the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case.