KUALA LUMPUR – Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun has to provide a public explanation as to why the prosecution applied for Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to be granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) on all 47 charges, said DAP.
Secretary-general Anthony Loke has joined the chorus of critics following the sudden twist in the Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB) graft case, saying an explanation serves to maintain public confidence in the country’s legal system.
Loke also reiterated in a Facebook post today that DAP ensures there is no executive interference in any court case and upholds the principle of separation of powers between the judicial, executive, and legislative branches.
He also acknowledged that the DNAA application to temporarily end proceedings is at the discretion of the attorney-general and to be decided by the court.
Meanwhile, today is Idrus’ last day as AG, as he will be replaced by Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh from tomorrow onwards.
Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah yesterday granted Zahid a DNAA on all 47 of his CBT, corruption, and money laundering charges in relation to YAB funds after the prosecution decided to halt proceedings on the grounds that it intends to conduct a more in-depth investigation into the case.
This has garnered fierce backlash from political parties, legal personalities, civil society, and members of the public.
Electoral watchdog Bersih also renewed calls for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to outline a clear roadmap and timeline for the separation of the public prosecutor’s office from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof assured that the government did not interfere in the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision to grant Zahid a DNAA.
Zahid is filing an appeal today at the Court of Appeal against the decision of the high court to grant him a DNAA in his bid to get an acquittal. – September 5, 2023