AGC: Court accepted arguments for DNAA

Photo: Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Arguments presented by the prosecution in the application to discharge but not acquit Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) were accepted by the court, says the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).

In a two-paragraph statement, it said the High Court judge had stated that the arguments presented by the prosecution were cogent.

The AGC issued the statement in reference to media reports that its move not to proceed with prosecution against Ahmad Zahid was immoral.

On Monday, the High Court granted the Deputy Prime Minister a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for his 47 graft charges.

The charges were brought against him by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in connection with alleged misuse of funds regarding his charitable foundation Yayasan Akalbudi.

The prosecution had applied for Ahmad Zahid to be discharged but not acquitted, as further investigations were still needed for the case.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar listed 11 reasons for it – these include ensuring that no miscarriage of justice is committed and to make way for more comprehensive investigations by the authorities.

Earlier yesterday, in a separate statement, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the party respected the court process and DNAA ruling, but in the interest of justice and accountability, Attorney General Tan Sri Idris Harun should give an open explanation regarding the factors which motivated him to make the application.

“This clarification is important to ensure that the confidence of the public and the international community in the country’s legal system is always preserved,” he said in a Facebook post.

Idrus’ contract ended yesterday.

He is replaced by Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh, whose appointment takes effect today.

The latter was a Federal Court chief registrar before being appointed Solicitor General in 2020.

Meanwhile, Umno’s ulama council chairman Datuk Dusuki Ahmad, in a statement, said the DNAA decision had disproved all allegations hurled against Ahmad Zahid by irresponsible quarters and cleared the Umno president’s name.