JOHOR BARU – The Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to not continue with the prosecution of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi did not involve the executive powers of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the AGC’s actions and jurisdiction were based on Article 145 of the federal constitution.
“To prosecute or not to prosecute, to proceed or withdraw (prosecution) that’s the jurisdiction within the (federal) constitution… that’s why I refute all accusations and assumptions that the AGC’s decisions rest with the prime minister,” he told reporters after a Pakatan Harapan political talk in Taman Anggerik, Kempas here tonight.
Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur High Court granted Zahid a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) relating to 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering in relation to Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah made the ruling after allowing deputy public prosecutor Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar’s application that the AGC wished to stop all proceedings against Zahid.
On Subang MP Wong Chen’s suggestion to conduct institutional reforms on the separation of power between the AG and the prosecutors’ office, Saifuddin said that the current system was inherited from the previous administration, and the appointment of the AG was based on the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong following the motion of the chief executive.
“This isn’t the first time (the appointment of the AG was done based on the motion of the chief executive), we inherited an ongoing system, if there’s any motion to change the situation…we will look at it,” he said.
Saifuddin also touched on the actions of the opposition who blamed the prime minister regarding Zahid’s case during his speech tonight, stating that it showed their inconsistent stand.
He said that they played up power abuse issues only when it involved government leaders’ cases, but were totally silent when it was cases involving opposition leaders being acquitted.
“Several weeks back, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s counsel, Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik spoke in court and Muhyiddin was freed… now, Hisyam is acting as Zahid’s counsel, and he received a DNAA… but (they said) it’s Anwar’s doing.
“Look at how inconsistent they are, when it’s their people who are freed, it’s okay, but if it’s their enemy (government leaders), Anwar’s to blame.
“It’s as if everything is controlled by Anwar, who is chief executive,” he added.
He also commented on a statement by Muda threatening to withdraw its support from the unity government following the results of the case, the PH secretary-general said Muda has the right to make its own considerations.
“As a political party, Muda knows the good and bad of any action they take, I don’t have any comment as it has its own rights,” he said.
Earlier, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said his party would not hesitate to reevaluate its position supporting the unity government if its three demands concerning the Zahid case did not warrant further action by the government. – September 5, 2023