A TOTAL of 18 cases involving VIPs and VVIPs have been granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) over the past eight years, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform).
Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said the Attorney-General exercised discretion based on evidence obtained from enforcement agencies, as well as new developments and evidence that emerged during the trial when granting the DNAA.
VIPs, as defined by the Registrar’s Circular No. 1 of 2012 on High-Profile Cases, include royalty, senior government officials, judges, members of parliament, state assembly members, and high-ranking political leaders.
"The decision to grant a DNAA aligns with Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution, which grants the Attorney General the discretion to initiate, conduct, or halt proceedings based on available and new evidence, except in syariah, native, or military courts," Azalina said in a written parliamentary reply.
Azalina said there were no cases in 2017, two cases in 2018, three cases in 2019, five cases in 2020, one case in 2021, no cases in 2022, five cases in 2023, two cases in 2024.
She was responding to Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN-Tumpat), who inquired about the number of VIP or VVIP cases granted a DNAA over the past five years and the steps taken to enhance transparency in the legal process.
To ensure transparency in the legal process involving DNAA, various judicial reforms had been implemented at different levels, focusing on legal, communication, and procedural aspects.
These include collaborations with local universities for legal research and the introduction of the AI Legal Justice 2025 roadmap to integrate AI into the legal system. – February 25, 2025
