TODAY is indeed a sad day for democracy. Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah has given Ahmad Zahid Hamidi a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) on all 47 charges. While it is understood that there are other outstanding investigations against Zahid, the Yayasan Akalbudi case nevertheless involved 47 alleged charges, namely 12 on criminal breach of trust in relation to more than RM31 million of Yayasan Akalbudi’s funds, 27 on money laundering, and eight on bribery amounting to more than RM21.25 million. 

These are indeed grave allegations.

Yayasan Akalbudi was founded with the purported objective of receiving and administering funds for the eradication of poverty and enhancing the welfare of the poor. Given the severity of the 47 charges of abuse against the welfare foundation, one would expect a much more vigorous and in-depth trial, but never an application of DNAA from deputy public prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar. After four years of trial and use of public funds, the public expects a just trial. To say the case can be picked up again at a later stage makes a mockery of the justice system.

The prosecution has to give a fuller, honest and open explanation on their reasons for seeking a DNAA for such a high profile case. Citizens went to the streets to protest against corrupt leaders such as Najib Razak and Zahid and we expect justice to be served.

The DNAA decision is definitely a setback on the people’s movement and tantamount to saying: Corruption is OK! It is indeed an objectionable pushback against the reform agenda that was fought for by Malaysians for more than 10 years. – September 4, 2023.

* Maria Chin Abdullah is former Petaling Jaya MP.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.