PETALING JAYA: The defense team of deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi believes that certain parties will manipulate the High Court’s decision to grant a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) against him for their own agenda, following the Attorney General’s decision. Ahmad Zahid’s lawyer, Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Zainal, made this statement outside the High Court on Monday (Sept 4).
“We wish to emphasise that the Attorney General is only exercising his discretion as provided under Article 145 (3) of the Federal Constitution,” Ahmad Zaidi Zainal said.
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According to Article 145 (3) of the Federal Constitution, the Attorney-General has the discretion to decide whether to institute, conduct, or discontinue any proceedings for an offence.
The defense team highlights that the prosecution filing a discharge is a normal practice, as long as the Attorney-General accepts the reasons given by the accused through the representations made.
“This process of representation is not new, as it has been a practice in cases involving mandatory death penalty and all stages of a trial, from the Magistrate’s Court up to the Federal Court,” Ahmad Zaidi explained.
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The High Court granted Ahmad Zahid a DNAA for all 47 graft charges related to Yayasan Akalbudi funds. Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar applied for the charges to be dropped at the start of the hearing, and this application was accepted by the Attorney General’s Chambers. The decision on Monday followed a letter from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) requesting a review of the charges against Ahmad Zahid on Feb 20, 2023.
Ahmad Zaidi also highlighted that the trial court’s proceedings at the High Court were conducted transparently, with evidence and witnesses’ testimonies being considered, leading to the court’s decision.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
