Zahid's DNAA case: People urged to wait for AG's explanations - Rafizi
KUALA LUMPUR - The government is aware that there are various questions surrounding the people's thoughts regarding the court's decision to "discharge not amounting to an acquittal" (DNAA) Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi of 47 charges.
However, Economy Minister Mohd Rafizi Ramli, who is also PKR deputy president, said it is unfair to accuse Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim or the Unity Government of interfering in judicial affairs, especially the Attorney General's Office.
Admitting that he also wants an answer like everyone else, Rafizi said it is better to be patient and wait for an explanation from the former Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun and the current Attorney General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh, who are expected to give evidence to the Special Select Committee of Parliament (JKPK) on Human Rights, Elections, and Institutional Reform.
"The fact is that the Prime Minister did not stop discussions at the Cabinet level, which wanted an explanation. The fact is that the Prime Minister did not stop the party leaders who wanted these two AGs to give an explanation in Parliament.
"I am also interested like everyone else, but to accuse the Prime Minister and expect the Prime Minister to interfere with whatever the AG's decision is, I think the people should be fair to the government," he said when interviewed on the BFM - Breakfast Grille show on Wednesday.
When asked about the Court of Appeal's decision that upheld the High Court's acquittal and acquittal of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and former 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Chief Executive Officer Arul Kanda Kandasamy from the charge of amending the 1MDB audit report, Rafizi said he takes the approach of not commenting on high-profile cases.
"That's why, in the past, I didn't arbitrarily comment on every case or every individual, because I knew some cases had bigger and better merits.
"So I tend to let it be a matter for the courts and let the prosecutors do their job. We are committed not to interfere in court affairs," he added.
When asked about the steps to apply for a pardon for Najib, Rafizi replied, "We will discuss it at the Unity Government level; we will discuss it at the Cabinet level. But we already know Pakatan Harapan will not agree".
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications and Digital, Fahmi Fadzil, said the Dewan Rakyat can debate Zahid's DNAA decision when the JKPK on Institutional Reform presents its report.
He said JKPK is the best platform to get the most detailed and accurate information and consideration regarding the matter.
"As mentioned by the Chairman of the Institutional Reforms Committee, William Leong, yesterday, the committee also involves and includes Members of Parliament from Perikatan Nasional, including Arau (Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim), Jeli (Zahari Kechik), and Besut (Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh).
"They are part of the committee and will be called. The current and former Attorney Generals will also be called.
"In the parliamentary process, I think that is the most appropriate place because JKPK is a very accurate format and platform, and we can get very detailed information," he said.
Fahmi added that the JKPK had previously played a large role, including in the implementation of the Anti-Party Jumping Act and the Ending Generation Policy (GEG) against smoking.
He said all parties need to be patient and allow the proper process to run, and he expressed confidence that the related report will be presented in the Dewan Rakyat when everything is finished.
The media previously reported that the Attorney General would be called by JKPK to explain the decision to drop corruption charges against Ahmad Zahid.
The High Court recently acquitted Ahmad Zahid on 12 charges of breach of trust, eight charges of corruption, and 27 charges of money laundering involving millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi. - Awani
