The Attorney General’s Chambers ends the case against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, citing insufficient evidence after further MACC investigations.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General’s Chambers has decided to take no further action on all 47 criminal charges against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
The charges involved criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering linked to Yayasan Akalbudi funds. This decision effectively brings the high-profile case to a close.
In a statement, the AGC said the ruling was made based on professional and legal considerations. It stressed the need to ensure justice and transparency within the criminal justice system.
The decision follows a discharge not amounting to an acquittal granted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court in September 2023. After that ruling, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission conducted further comprehensive investigations.
These new probes covered the source of funds, methods of acquisition and utilisation of the Yayasan Akalbudi money. The AGC also reviewed six representations submitted after Ahmad Zahid was called to enter his defence.
“After examining all the materials and new evidence obtained from the further investigations and reviews, the AGC… found that the available evidence was insufficient to support the continuation of the prosecution on all the charges,” the statement read.
The assessment considered the initial scope of investigations directly related to the filed charges. It also reviewed internal prosecutorial considerations on the suitability and sufficiency of the evidence from the case’s early stages.
The AGC factored in the detailed investigative steps taken by the MACC to complete the overall factual picture. This included findings covering the entire period of Yayasan Akalbudi’s establishment and operations.
The foundation’s fund flows and contributions over time were also examined. The AGC stated the decision aligns with the Attorney General’s powers under the Federal Constitution and relevant laws.
On September 4, 2023, High Court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah granted the DNAA. The prosecution had informed the court the AGC intended to discontinue the proceedings.
