Kedah PAS rep calls out DAP's 'hypocrisy' in Zahid outcry, touts party's respect for law

PAS MUKTAMAR | A Kedah PAS assemblyperson has derided calls from DAP leaders for the attorney-general to review the discontinuation of 47 corruption charges against Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Addressing the central PAS muktamar in Kota Bharu today as a Kedah PAS delegate, Pengkalan Kundor assemblyperson Mardhiyyah Johari accused DAP of intentionally failing to highlight the issue earlier for the sake of political interests.

“When they (DAP) wanted to form a government with Umno’s support, this matter did not come up; now they are kalut (flustered).

“This is not reform, but hypocrisy,” she said in her debate on PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s policy speech.

She also expressed her support for Hadi’s speech earlier, which accused the government of selectively deploying graft crackdowns to vilify its political rivals, while allegedly allowing its allies to escape calls for justice.

The matter Mardhiyyah referred to was recently raised by DAP lawmaker RSN Rayer, who questioned why prosecution against Zahid was discontinued despite the government’s renewed crackdown on corruption.

Arguing that the same standards must be equally applied to political allies and opponents, the Jelutong MP pressed authorities to revive or pursue the case against the BN chairperson if the evidence and legal circumstances justify it. 

READ MORE: DAP Youth jumps aboard 'revisit Zahid's 47 charges' bandwagon

Zahid was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) by the Kuala Lumpur High Court following an application from the prosecution on Sept 4, 2023 - nearly a year after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition government was formed - after a prima facie case had been proven.

READ MORE: Don't you dare justify Zahid's DNAA, Ambiga tells unity govt politicians

The Attorney-General’s Chambers then announced on Jan 8 this year that there will be no further action in the case, in which the deputy prime minister has been accused of misappropriating RM31 million from Yayasan Akalbudi.

‘Show people that PAS follows the system’

On a separate matter, Mardhiyyah also argued that certain court rulings perceived as going against PAS’ interest should be upheld as proof that PAS is “non-extremist”.

In particular, she pointed to the Federal Court decision which affected Kedah’s attempt to ban gambling in the state, and Kelantan-based lawyer Nik Elin Nik Rashid’s successful constitutional appeal on the state’s syariah offences law.

“This is the story we must spread to Malaysians, especially those who are new to PAS - we only use democratic channels - elections, Parliament, and the state legislative assembly - to carry out our agenda,” she said.

“We respect the law, the Constitution, and court decisions. When the court makes a decision, we accept it. No riots, no taking up arms, no street demonstrations.

“Even though PAS holds the most seats in Parliament, has been in the federal government before, and governs four state administrations, we still choose patience and a peaceful path that is legally valid,” she added.

Party scholarship details displayed on ministry website

She also swiped at DAP, claiming that PAS is “not the same” as the Pakatan Harapan component member as the latter’s leaders “support the construction of structures on land that is not legally valid in the name of (building) houses of worship.”

She further took issue with the Karpal Singh Law Scholarship, details of which she said were displayed on the Digital Ministry’s website. The ministry is helmed by Gobind Singh Deo, the son of the late Karpal, who was former DAP national chairperson.

“I am not disputing scholarships for students - I am talking about DAP giving scholarships. It was mentioned that when one Karpal Singh dies, another 100 Karpals will be born - that is their (DAP’s) effort in this critical field.

“PAS cannot afford to give scholarships, but we can give young lawyers and law students who support PAS knowledge and experience through exposure to the court cases we face,” she said.

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