KUALA LUMPUR – The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has announced that no further action will be taken against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in relation to 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering involving Yayasan Akalbudi.
Zahid had previously been granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on September 4, 2023.
In a statement today, the AGC explained that the decision followed extensive investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
These inquiries covered the origins of Yayasan Akalbudi’s funds, the methods of acquisition, and the way in which the money was utilised.
The review also took into account six representations submitted after Zahid was ordered to enter his defence.
“The department has decided that no further action (‘No Further Action’) will be taken in relation to the case. This decision simultaneously brings about the final termination of the matter, in line with the powers and discretion of the Attorney-General under the Federal Constitution and relevant laws,” the AGC said.
The chambers added that the supplementary evidence obtained during MACC’s investigations was not sufficient to sustain prosecution. Internal prosecutorial assessments were revisited, including the scope of the initial charges, the adequacy of testimony, and the viability of continuing with the case.
The statement noted that the review encompassed the entire period of Yayasan Akalbudi’s establishment and operations, including the inflow of contributions into the foundation over time.
The AGC stressed that the ruling was based on professional and legal considerations, with emphasis on fairness, integrity of the prosecutorial process, and transparency in the criminal justice system.
The DNAA granted in 2023 had allowed the prosecution to withdraw charges temporarily while investigations continued, leaving open the possibility of revival should new evidence emerge. However, the AGC’s latest announcement confirms that the case has now been conclusively closed.
The decision has been the subject of intense debate among legal observers and civil society groups. The Malaysian Bar filed an appeal in July 2024 to reinstate its challenge against the DNAA, arguing that the ruling undermined public confidence in the judiciary.
In late 2025, a lawyer sought judicial review of the discharge, questioning whether such a ruling could be indefinitely maintained without resolution.
Despite these challenges, the AGC has stood by its position, insisting that the outcome reflects the strength of the evidence available and the prosecutorial discretion vested in the Attorney-General. The chambers reiterated that the decision was made in the interest of justice and to ensure certainty in the legal process. - January 8, 2026
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