FORMER prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin today questioned if the prosecution had received orders from its “superiors” to discharge Ahmad Zahid Hamidi from his corruption cases.  

Muhyiddin said if it was true that there was such an order, then dropping the charges against Zahid, after he was ordered to enter his defence, was a black spot in the country’s justice system.

“What is strange is that the prosecution, having succeeded in proving a prima facie case, had asked the court to drop the charges. This is very unreasonable,” Muhyiddin said on Facebook.

“Does this mean that the prosecution admits the evidence presented in court cannot be used?

“This has never happened before in the history of Malaysia.”

Yesterday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted Zahid a discharge not amounting to an acquittal in his corruption trial.

Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah made the ruling after listening to the prosecution’s submission.

He said the decision was made to allow further investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, but added the case was still open.

Muhyiddin said the attorney-general’s action of using his powers under article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution to withdraw the 47 criminal charges of corruption and money laundering against Zahid after he was called to defend himself in court was immoral.

“In this case, Zahid has been charged in court and the prosecution has succeeded in proving a prima facie case by submitting documentary evidence from 99 witnesses,” he said.

“This means the court was satisfied that there was evidence and ordered Zahid to defend himself.”

Muhyiddin said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must take full responsibility for the damage to the justice system, which he believed was caused by his (Anwar’s) own greed to retain power.

“It proves his hypocrisy. The slogan of institutional reform and governance that he often shouts about is just a lie and empty talk,” he said.

“The decision to drop the charges against the deputy prime minister has shaken investors’ confidence in the justice system.”

Muhyiddin said it was bad enough that Zahid, who was facing corruption charges, was appointed to the country’s number two position.

“Now, even those charges were dropped. Malaysia has become a rogue state,” he said.

“The time has come for the people to re-evaluate the legitimacy of this unity government, which should support the rule of law and the nobility of the Constitution.” – September 5, 2023.