DNAA for Zahid was AGC's call, not Anwar's, says Saifuddin

JOHOR BARU: The Attorney General was exercising his discretion as provided under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution when it decided to ask the High Court for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The Home Minister, who is also PKR secretary-general, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should not be blamed for the decision.

"Under the Article, the Attorney General has the discretion to decide whether to prosecute (a case) or not, or to proceed (with the case) or withdraw it.

"The one who charged Ahmad Zahid was former attorney general Tommy Thomas while the DNAA was granted under Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun – but the blame fell on who? Anwar Ibrahim.

"I quash all claims and assumptions that everything that the AG does falls on the Prime Minister's shoulders – as if he has no other work to do," he told reporters after attending a ceramah at a coffee shop in Taman Anggerik here on Tuesday (Sept 5).

On Monday (Sept 4), the High Court granted a DNAA to Ahmad Zahid for all 47 graft charges involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.

Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah in his judgement said the extended time needed for investigation was justifiable as the representations submitted by the defence had taken up hundreds of pages for examinations by the prosecution.

Meanwhile, when asked about Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman's decision to re-evaluate its position in the unity government after the DNAA granted to Ahmad Zahid, Saifuddin said the party was free to do so.

"I take it as a reaction that they have to make and as a political party, Muda knows the consequences of every action they take.

"I do not have any further comments because they have the right to follow their considerations," said.

Syed Saddiq in a press conference on Tuesday said that one of the greatest "red lines" had been crossed with Ahmad Zahid's DNAA.

He added that Muda will not hesitate to evaluate its position in the unity government.