DEPUTY Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for the 47 corruption charges he faced would be used as campaign ammunition in the upcoming Pelangai by-election in Pahang, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said.

The PAS deputy president said the issue will be played up to gain traction in the by-election.

“It would be a waste for those who do not take the opportunity (to capitalise on the issue),” he said.

The Pelangai seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent Johari Harun from Barisan Nasional in a plane crash on August 17.

Tuan Ibrahim said apart from Zahid’s DNAA, they would also raise other issues concerning national and public interests.

He also said the attorney-general needs to give an explanation on why prosecution was discontinued.

Last week, the AGC said there were cogent reasons to request a DNAA in Zahid’s case.

The prosecution said it wanted to halt proceedings to make way for further investigations into the case.

Tuan Ibrahim welcomed Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s decision to withdraw his support for the Pakatan Harapan-BN coalition government.

“We welcome any MP who is principled.”

On Sunday, Syed said he will sit in the opposition bench effective immediately to protest the public prosecutor’s decision last week to drop the 47 charges against Zahid.

The Muar lawmaker said Muda will now become the third force in the opposition.  

“This (dropping graft charges) is the beginning of normalising corruption.  

“We cannot and will not tolerate this unprincipled move.  

“Let me be punished instead of me losing my principles and committing a great sin.” – September 14, 2023.