![[UPDATED] Zahid gets discharge not amounting to acquittal in Yayasan Akalbudi case](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/_large/04092023_-_Zahid_Hamidi_Akalbudi_Mahkamah_Kuala_Lumpur_-_NOOREEZA_HASHIM_1.jpeg)
KUALA LUMPUR – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) on all 47 of his corruption, criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money laundering charges.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning granted the DNAA sought by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar.
When a court grants a DNAA, it means that the accused is discharged from the current charges without being acquitted of them.
The case is temporarily put on hold or suspended, but the prosecution has the option to refile the charges or reinstate the case at a later time if new evidence or circumstances warrant it.
Earlier, the prosecution in the Umno president’s corruption trial applied for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal, while the defence team led by Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik argued for a full acquittal for all charges.
Hisyam argued that Zahid should be granted a discharge amounting to an acquittal (DAA).
The defence had claimed that there was “new evidence” in Zahid’s case, and that the investigation against him was “defective” due to the short four-month investigation period because of the alleged haste to charge him.
The defence also claimed that the prosecution against Zahid was political in nature.
Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah then declared that Zahid was discharged of all charges but not acquitted.
Sequerah made the ruling after hearing submissions from the prosecution and defence and on the basis that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is still investigating the case after Zahid made representations to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
The 70-year-old had been facing 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, graft and money laundering involving Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB) funds.
The 47 charges are namely, 12 counts of criminal breach of trust in relation to over RM31 million of YAB’s funds, 27 counts of money laundering, and eight counts of bribery involving over RM21.25 million.
YAB was founded with the purported objectives of receiving and administering funds for eradication of poverty and enhancing the welfare of the poor.
He was accused of committing the offences between March 28, 2016, and April 11, 2018.
He was charged on October 19, 2018, and was later ordered to enter his defence. – The Vibes, September 4, 2023
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