KUALA LUMPUR – The likes of DAP questioning the candidacy of Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the coming general election should also be questioning their own candidates who have criminal charges hanging over their heads.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Johari Ghani said the principle of innocence until proven guilty must be observed.
“The courts have yet to find him guilty, so we must not prejudge,” he said, referring to the graft charges that the former deputy prime minister is facing.
Zahid is facing 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, graft, and money laundering concerning funds belonging to charitable foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi.
Earlier this month, the former home minister was acquitted of 40 graft charges against him in another case.
He was charged with accepting S$13.56 million (RM43.39 million) from a company to facilitate the award of a contract for a foreign visa system (VLN) and one-stop services in China, as well as for the extension of the contract till 2025. The prosecution has filed an appeal against the acquittal.
He was also facing graft charges, accused of obtaining for himself bribes amounting to RM3.12 million.
Agreeing that perception in politics is something one cannot ignore, the former second finance minister threw the issue back at the opposition.
“I think the opposition, like DAP, also has this perception issue. Why is it that it is okay for the DAP but not okay for Umno?”
While he did not name anyone, it was apparent that Johari was referring to DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, who is currently fighting corruption charges in court.
Lim is standing trial on charges of using his position as Penang chief minister to seek kickbacks in the undersea tunnel project, as well as misappropriation of state land from two firms.
Johari was speaking to editors at the Concorde Club Editors’ Roundtable, hosted by Star Media Group adviser Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.
Often held at the Concorde Hotel, the Concorde Club was mooted by the sultan of Selangor to allow a safe space for editors and newsmakers such as politicians, corporate figures, and government leaders to share insights and have open discussions on the pressing issues of the day.
Johari, who is expected to make a comeback to retake Titiwangsa, which he had lost in the 2018 political tsunami that threw out Umno, said the issue of integrity and fighting corruption is not something that Umno is shying away from.
“These are important issues, as is providing solutions for the recovery of the economy,” he said.
Johari also explained that bread-and-butter issues like providing jobs to the youth, measures to cushion the decline of the ringgit, and the increased cost of living are important issues that must be addressed in tandem with institutional reforms and addressing corruption. – The Vibes, October 26, 2022
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