Zahid's DNAA: PKR Youth asks if there was plot, wants emergency debate

The chain of events behind the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) withdrawing the charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has led PKR Youth to question if there was a “plot”. 

In a statement today, the wing’s vice-chief Atyrah Hanim Razali pointed to the developments involving key officials in the AGC prior to the decision.

She also questioned the AGC’s credibility, claiming it appeared to have a “political motive” in this particular case.

“PKR Youth questions the actions of former attorney-general Idrus Harun, appointed by (former premier) Muhyiddin Yassin in 2020, and was reported to be on leave pending his retirement (when the AGC withdrew the charges).

“Before this, the previous deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran, who successfully established a prima facie case (against Zahid) was also reported to have applied for an early retirement before going on leave at the end of August,” she added.

As for the AGC’s explanation on Sept 5 for its reasons for withdrawing the charges, Atyrah said it raised more questions instead of convincing the public of its decision.

Given the circumstances surrounding the DNAA, she urged the government to hold an emergency parliamentary session to debate the matter.

“Time should also be given to the AGC to find new evidence and for Zahid to be charged again immediately, if the coalition government doesn’t want to lose its credibility which will make it difficult for the Malaysia Madani administration.

“We cannot deny that this incident has tarnished the coalition government’s image, and reduced the people’s confidence in Malaysia Madani as we face the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections,” she said.

Atyrah also reminded that PKR started as a “struggle” and this spirit should not be extinguished because of the trappings of power.

The DNAA granted to Zahid - which opens the possibility of the Umno president being recharged in the future if prosecutors choose to revisit the matter - triggered a backlash against the government.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his ministers have since denied executive interference in the matter.

The AGC, which is now spearheaded by Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh, subsequently issued a statement that the reasons given for the withdrawal were “cogent” (clear, logical, and convincing).

Previously, it was reported that the issue of being made a victim of selective prosecution was among the 11 grounds given by the prosecution in its application to halt the proceedings against Zahid.

The Umno president was on trial for 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption, and money laundering involving Akalbudi Foundation funds.

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