Ahmad Zahid Seeks Full Acquittal as Prosecutors Drop Corruption Case

Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is pursuing a full acquittal in a corruption case involving 47 charges, following the decision by prosecutors to cease further action due to insufficient evidence. These charges include allegations of corruption, money laundering, and criminal breach of trust related to more than RM31.06 million (approximately US$7.64 million) from his charitable foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi.

On January 8, 2024, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) announced that it would not pursue the case, citing a review that concluded there was not enough evidence to support the prosecution. This announcement follows a previous discharge not amounting to an acquittal granted to Zahid in September 2023, which allowed for the possibility of reviving the case if new evidence emerged.

The AGC stated, “After examining all the materials and new evidence obtained from the results of the further investigations, the available evidence is insufficient to support continuation of the prosecution.” This decision was characterized as the “final termination” of the matter, according to local news outlet Malay Mail.

Zahid, who is also the president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. He previously pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include 12 counts of criminal breach of trust, eight counts of bribery, and 27 counts of money laundering. As a trustee and sole signatory for the Yayasan Akalbudi cheques, he is accused of misusing substantial funds for personal benefits.

In light of the AGC’s decision, Zahid’s lead defence counsel, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, announced plans to file an application to convert the discharge not amounting to an acquittal into a discharge amounting to an acquittal. “We will soon be filing an application in the Court of Appeal to obtain the DAA (discharge amounting to an acquittal),” he confirmed to Free Malaysia Today.

The AGC’s announcement indicates that Zahid now has no outstanding criminal cases, following his earlier acquittal in a separate corruption trial involving 40 charges related to the foreign visa system. Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the Home Minister, defended the AGC’s actions, asserting that the decision was made within the legal framework and in accordance with the Constitution.

Criticism has emerged from within the ruling coalition following the AGC’s decision. Ramkarpal Singh, the legal bureau chairman of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), expressed concerns that classifying the case as “No Further Action” undermines public confidence in the justice system. Singh emphasized that the AGC’s assertion of a comprehensive review fails to clarify whether it reassessed the prima facie findings made by the High Court in 2023.

Singh noted that the High Court had previously determined there was sufficient evidence against Zahid, requiring him to enter his defence. He questioned the AGC’s current position, stating, “Given the circumstances, the AGC must explain why it is now of the view that the prima facie findings of the High Court no longer carry weight.”

Local media previously reported that the Yayasan Akalbudi case included allegations that Zahid misused charity funds for personal expenses, such as payments for credit cards, insurance, and legal fees. In addition, he faced accusations of receiving bribes amounting to RM21.25 million from three firms while serving as home minister, in exchange for facilitating their business dealings, including contracts for passport chip supplies and visa processing centers in Pakistan and Nepal.

The AGC’s decision to terminate the prosecution raises significant questions about the integrity and transparency of the legal process in Malaysia, particularly concerning high-profile political figures. As the situation develops, the implications for Zahid and the broader political landscape remain to be seen.