Zahid's case: Gerakan demands an explanation

KUALA LUMPUR - Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) and Malaysians demand that the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Attorney General's Chambers explain the reasons for the withdrawal of 47 charges against the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Its president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai said Gerakan condemned the decision if there was an interference by the unity government in the judicial process and released Zahid from corruption charges.

He said before last year's General Election and after Anwar was appointed Prime Minister, he promised Malaysians that Pakatan Harapan would not tolerate corruption.

Lau pointed out that even recently, Anwar had highlighted about anti-corruption during the Pulai by-election, but on Monday, the prosecutor asked the court to release Ahmad Zahid.

"The decision of the prosecution and the government not only betrays the people's trust but is also 'anti-democratic' behaviour led by the government in abusing power and procedures, damaging the credibility and image of the judicial system.

"If Anwar decides to 'release' Zahid today, will Malaysians trust our country's judicial system again?

"Is this a clear expression to the people that the law is a game played by the rich and powerful," he said ina statement.

He added that Gerakan, together with Perikatan Nasional would continue to monitor the development of Zahid case and at the same time strive to uphold the rule of law and justice in Malaysia.