Umno supreme council member, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, has stated that the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) does not need to provide an explanation for the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. According to Ahmad Maslan, the AGC and the prosecutor involved have already given sufficient reasons for the DNAA in court. He further added that the AGC has highlighted the 11 reasons for the DNAA and that the arguments were accepted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court. Ahmad Maslan made these remarks during a press conference on September 7 while campaigning for Pakatan Harapan’s Simpang Jeram candidate Nazri Abdul Rahman.
The High Court granted Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid a DNAA for 47 graft charges related to Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB) funds on September 4. These charges against him were brought by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged misuse of funds in relation to his charitable foundation, YAB. On September 6, the AGC issued a statement stating that the arguments presented by the prosecution in the application to discharge but not acquit Ahmad Zahid were accepted by the court. The AGC issued this statement in response to criticism of its decision not to proceed with the case against Ahmad Zahid.
Ahmad Maslan further commented that Ahmad Zahid’s DNAA is actually a positive development that will help boost support in the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections. He mentioned his own experience of being acquitted of charges related to receiving 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, stating that the truth prevailed in his case as well. Ahmad Maslan expressed his belief that Ahmad Zahid’s DNAA will have a similarly positive impact on the election.
In 2021, Ahmad Maslan was acquitted of two criminal charges involving money laundering and giving a false statement to the MACC.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
