Verdict on Umno president lawful: Musa

GEORGE TOWN – Penang Umno has hailed the verdict on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as a milestone that ends a recent pattern of ‘selective prosecution’ against some politicians.

The decision keeps faith with the country’s Constitution and is a victory for both the party and its president, said its liaison chairman, Datuk Seri Musa Sheikh Fadzir, in a media statement today.

The discharge is within the letter of the law, Musa opined.

He was commenting on the controversy that has erupted over the Kuala Lumpur High Court decision to grant a Discharge Not Amounting to Acquittal (DNAA) for the UMNO president in the Yayasan Akalbudi corruption case.

Malaysians across all social strata have questioned the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC)'s decision to withdraw the charges although it was earlier ruled that there was a prima facie case against Ahmad Zahid.

Musa said that the process was constitutional.

He pointed to Article 145 of the Federal Constitution, where the AGC has vested powers to decide on prosecuting a case, as well as Section 254 of the Criminal Procedure Code which further amplifies the prosecutor's powers. 

A total of 11 reasons was cited by the AGC in the DNAA verdict by the court.

“It should serve as a lesson for us all,” said Musa.

The key lesson is the need for reform of the pillars of law so they can be returned to the rightful path of meting out justice without political interference, said Musa.

“We do not want to see a repeat of selective prosecution as had befallen Ahmad Zahid duplicated on other individuals or parties,” said Musa.

Musa said that looking forward, Penang Umno will continue to back Ahmad Zahid in his efforts to restore the party to its heyday.

“Our party president's role is crucial in helping the Madani government to conduct institutional reforms so the constitution and the spirit of justice must prevail against any form of interference,” he said. – The Vibes, September 8, 2023