PETALING JAYA – A day after Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) in the Yayasan Akalbudi case, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad penned a statement titled “The Rule of Law”.
In the statement, the former prime minister said laws made by man can be changed or reinterpreted.
“In the good old days in England, stealing was punished by death. However, under the new rule of law, the death penalty could not even be imposed for murder,” he said.
He said the judiciary consists of the Attorney-General and the judges, and the decision of the first court may be appealed through a second, and the decision of the second court appealed through a third.
“Then the supreme head may modify the sentence or even pardon ... but the guilt remains.
“Then, there is another judge not presiding over a court and this judge makes his own decision based on whatever. He may decide there is no case to answer.
“Even when the case is being heard, his decision prevails. The judge may believe that there is guilt and refuse acquittal, but the case cannot be heard.
“That is the law. The rule of law has been adhered to. Bravo Malaysia, your judiciary is the best in the world,” said Dr Mahathir.
Yesterday, Zahid, the deputy prime minister and Umno president, was granted a DNAA on all 47 of his corruption, criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money laundering charges.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court had granted the DNAA sought by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar. – The Vibes, September 5, 2023
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