KUALA LUMPUR – Former Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Idrus Harun decided to submit an application for a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) for Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s corruption trial after reviewing facts surrounding the case.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Idrus had gone through the approximately 200-page representation letter submitted by the deputy prime minister’s lawyers before deciding to request for Zahid’s conditional release.
“As the prime minister, I was aware of the repercussions (of the DNAA application). I discussed in length with the AG (Idrus) the reasons and timing behind the move,” Anwar said when met by reporters after attending Friday prayers in Seri Petaling today.
Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, added that if he were given a choice in the matter, he would have preferred the application to be submitted at a later time, considering the upcoming by-elections for the Pulai parliamentary seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat.
“If you ask me, if I had the power, I would postpone (the DNAA application). Why? Because I want to have elections over with first, then the AG can proceed.”
However, Anwar said that Idrus had insisted on presenting the application on September 4 as the following day marked the end of his term as AG before Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh took over the post.
“The AG didn’t agree with me (wanting to postpone the DNAA application). He said that the earliest date the court could set was on September 4, and September 5 was his last day (as AG).
“He was carrying out his responsibility. (Idrus) didn’t want to leave this responsibility to his successor. I couldn’t stop (the DNAA application).”
He added that he is aware of the public backlash against the application, reiterating that he had no say in the court’s decision to grant the DNAA to Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman.
“I myself sought an explanation from the AG. I don’t blame citizens who are seeking further explanations on the decision.
“However, if we read the 11 grounds (given by the prosecution in its DNAA application) before the judge (Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah)…the judge was satisfied with the points.”
Meanwhile, when asked about calls for the separation of the public prosecutor’s office from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), Anwar said that efforts supporting the recommendation are ongoing.
Noting that a proposal paper on the matter had been presented to the cabinet a few months ago, Anwar also said that the matter has been referred to a parliamentary select committee.
He added that while the separation of the two offices “would cost a lot of money,” it will be done “if it has to be done.”
“Please don’t suggest that it has not been decided. This government has made a decision, but we can’t bulldoze through (necessary processes) in a few weeks and we need a two-thirds majority to effect this reform.”
On Monday, Zahid was granted a DNAA on all 47 of his corruption, criminal breach of trust (CBT), and money laundering charges involving his foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi. He was also charged with accepting bribes when he was the home minister between 2013 and 2018.
The call was met by severe criticism from certain quarters, including youth-based party Muda which threatened to pull its support for the unity government if no further steps are taken regarding Zahid’s DNAA. — September 8, 2023