Malaysia

Zahid leaves DNAA legal battle to lawyers as court ruling looms

A key Court of Appeal decision approaches on a challenge brought by the Bar Council over prosecutorial decisions in his case

Updated 3 months ago · Published on 03 May 2026 10:21AM

Zahid leaves DNAA legal battle to lawyers as court ruling looms
The Deputy Prime Minister confirms that he is leaving all legal proceedings relating to his discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to his legal team - May 3, 2026

DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the continuing legal dispute over his DNAA now rests between the Bar Council and the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Zahid, who also serves as chairman of Barisan Nasional and president of UMNO, said: “On legal matters, they are still being discussed by the Bar Council following the issuance of DNAA and the subsequent decision of no further action.

“So, that is a matter between the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Bar Council.

“This matter will be handled directly by my legal team to resolve the issue in the Court of Appeal as well as the High Court.

“This is because the High Court’s decision will depend on the outcome of the Court of Appeal,” he said in an exclusive interview with Media Prima journalists held in conjunction with the UMNO 80th anniversary convention at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.

The legal challenge stems from an application filed by the Bar Council on 2 December 2023 seeking a certiorari order to quash the Attorney General’s decision to request a DNAA for Zahid in relation to 47 charges involving criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering linked to Yayasan Akalbudi funds.

The Bar Council also sought a declaration that the High Court’s earlier decision was null and void, arguing it was made beyond the powers of the Attorney General.

On 4 September of the same year, the High Court granted Zahid a DNAA for all 47 charges after being informed that the Attorney General’s Chambers intended to discontinue proceedings against him.

Later, on 8 January, the Attorney General’s Chambers confirmed that it had formally classified the matter as “no further action”, effectively closing the case from the prosecution’s standpoint. - May 3, 2026

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