Dropping charges against Zahid after prima facie case proven is unethical - Muhyiddin

SHAH ALAM - Former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has slammed the Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun for using his authority under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution to halt proceedings against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in 47 criminal cases related to breach of trust, corruption, and money laundering, deeming it unethical.

Muhyiddin pointed out that Zahid had been charged in court, and the prosecution successfully demonstrated a prima facie case by presenting documentary evidence and 99 witnesses.

"This indicated that the court found sufficient evidence of criminal behavior by Zahid and ordered him to defend himself.

"It is strange that the prosecution, which has successfully proved a prima facie case, is asking the court to drop the charges. This is very unreasonable.

"Does this mean the prosecution admits the evidence presented by them in court cannot be used? Or there is an order from the superiors that this case must be dropped no matter what," he said in a statement today.

On Monday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court acquitted Zahid of 47 charges of breach of trust, corruption and money laundering of the Akalbudi Foundation he founded.

Muhyiddin who is also the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Chairman claimed that if it is true that there was an order to drop the case, the dropping of charges against Zahid after being ordered to defend himself in court is a dark history in the justice system in this country.

"Such an occurrence had never transpired in the history of independent Malaysia and could undermine investor confidence in the justice system.

"A person facing corruption charges has already been appointed to the country's number two highest position, and the charges against him have also been dropped.

"The time has come for the people to re-evaluate the legitimacy of this unity government which should uphold the rule of law and the nobility of the constitution," he said.