DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook wants the outgoing Attorney-General Idrus Harun to explain the decision to seek a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is the Umno president and deputy prime minister.

The transport minister said an explanation from Idrus is crucial to safeguard the people’s confidence in Malaysia’s legal system.

“The prosecution’s request for a DNAA to halt proceedings while more detailed investigations are carried is up to the discretion of the AG, and the decision was made by the court.

“DAP respects the court process and its decision, but for the sake of justice and accountability, Idrus must offer an explanation on the factors that led to the decision,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page today.

Idrus retires today as the AG.

The Seremban lawmaker said the High Court’s decision to grant Zahid a DNAA for all his 47 corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering charges had been strongly criticised by various parties, including civil society groups and activists.

“DAP will always uphold the principle of separation of powers of the judicial, executive and legislative branches of government, and ensure that there is no executive interference in any court case.”

Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah yesterday granted Zahid a DNAA on all 47 of his CBT, corruption and money laundering charges in relation to Yayasan Akalbudi funds after the prosecution decided to halt proceedings on the grounds that it intends to conduct a more in-depth investigation into the case. 

Zahid, 70, was slapped with the 47 charges in late 2018 and early 2019. 

A total of 114 witnesses were called to testify in the trial, which started on November 18, 2019 and lasted 77 days. 

After 99 prosecution witnesses testified in the trial, the High Court on January 24, 2022 ordered Zahid to enter his defence on all 47 charges. He was among 15 defence witnesses who testified in the case. – September 5, 2023.