PETALING JAYA: DAP should continue to press the government for an explanation on Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA), says a PAS leader.
PAS central working committee member Datuk Awang Hashim said that DAP should keep up the pressure on the government on the DNAA granted to the Deputy Prime Minister in the Yayasan Akalbudi case.
He said the graft charges were mounted against the Umno president during Pakatan Harapan's previous administration.
However, the DNAA, he said, came at a time when Pakatan was part of a unity government with Barisan Nasional.
“If they hold on to their principles, they will continue to pressure the government on the discharge,” the Pendang MP told The Star.
He said otherwise, it ran counter with DAP’s struggle.
On Tuesday (Sept 5), DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said for the sake of justice and accountability, the Attorney General (AG) should explain the factors that led to Ahmad Zahid’s DNAA.
The Transport Minister said in a statement that the party had taken note of the critical views from various parties and the public on the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to grant a DNAA on the 47 charges involving Ahmad Zahid.
Similarly, Amanah, which is DAP’s partner in Pakatan Harapan also called for an explanation.
On Sept 6, the AG's Chambers had said arguments presented by the prosecution in the application for DNAA were accepted by the court. In a two-paragraph statement, it said the High Court judge had stated that the arguments presented by the prosecution were cogent.
On Monday, the High Court granted the Deputy Prime Minister a DNAA for his 47 graft charges.
The charges were brought against him by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in connection with the alleged misuse of funds regarding his charitable foundation Yayasan Akalbudi.
The prosecution had applied for Ahmad Zahid to be discharged instead of being acquitted, as further investigations were still needed for the case.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar listed 11 reasons for it – these include ensuring that no miscarriage of justice was committed and making way for more a comprehensive investigation by the authorities.
Meanwhile, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said graft investigators were still probing new leads in Ahmad Zahid’s Yayasan Akalbudi’s case. He, however, declined to elaborate on the investigation.
