Anwar: Understandable for public to demand answers over Zahid’s case

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today that he did not fault the sections of the country who were upset over the conditional discharge granted to his deputy, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, this week.

The Umno president received a discharge not amounting to acquittal after the prosecution chose to withdraw all 47 remaining corruption and money laundering charges against him this week.

“I do not blame the people for wanting explanation,” Anwar was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.

Anwar previously sought to distance himself from the matter by saying it was the attorney general’s prerogative to decide such matters.

The PM reiterated this today, saying it was Tan Sri Idrus Harun who made the decision to seek a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) prior to being replaced as the attorney general.

“I want to clarify that there was no instruction to the attorney general. He (Idrus) was involved in continuing the prosecution... then he read the alleged leaked document from the AGC stating disagreement with the prosecution.

“Of course, as the prime minister I was aware of the implications of the allegations that followed this decision. In fact, I had to inquire the attorney general extensively about why his decision was like that and why now?” he was further quoted as saying.

Anwar, who is the chairman of the Pakatan Harapan coalition, said the move would inevitably affect the by-elections for Simpang Jerai and Pulai tomorrow, but said he had no authority to influence the decision.

He also asked those unhappy with the AG’s decision to read the reasons given for the withdrawal of the charges against Zahid.

On Monday, the prosecution informed the High Court that it was withdrawing the 47 charges from the Yayasan Akalbudi trial against Zahid.

Trial judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah said the prosecution had “given cogent reasons” for seeking the DNAA.

Zahid, who is also Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman, had faced 47 charges in the case, including 12 counts of criminal breach of trust, 27 counts of money laundering, and eight counts of bribery.