I don't have power to influence court decisions, Anwar says of Zahid's DNAA

KUALA LUMPUR: Following continued criticism over Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's court decision, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated that he does not have the power to interfere in the case.

"If I had the power, I would have delayed the decision after all the by-elections were done," said the Prime Minister of the twin by-elections in Johor on Saturday (Sept 9) and an upcoming one in Pahang," he told reporters after Friday prayers here in response to allegations that he had something to do with how the AGC conducted Ahmad Zahid's corruption case.

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Opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional has said that the court decision would boost its chances in the Simpang Jeram state and Pulai parliamentary by-elections.

On Monday (Sept 4), the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid a discharge not amounting to an acquittal on 47 charges involving funds from Yayasan Akalbudi, following the AGC's application to withdraw charges against him.

The AGC's decision has been criticised by legal experts and criminal lawyers who are questioning why the prosecution decided to discontinue the case after calling 99 witnesses had proven a prima facie case against Ahmad Zahid.

The decision reignited speculation that Anwar had made a deal with Ahmad Zahid to have the case dropped in exchange for the latter's support for him to be Prime Minister.

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Anwar revealed some of the discussions he had outgoing attorney general Tan Sri Idrus Harun which led to the decision.

"The AGC did not agree to postpone its application to the court because the trial dates were on Sept 4 but his last day in office was Sept 5.

"He wanted to (follow through on) his responsibility and did not want to relinquish it to someone else. I could not stop him from doing so," he said.

Anwar said he did not blame the public for wanting further clarification on how the case was conducted.

"I myself have asked for an explanation from the AG, so I don't blame the public for wanting one also.

"But... the judge was satisfied with it (the 11 reasons the AGC presented to the court). We cannot blame the court," he added.