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KUALA LUMPUR – The court’s permanent return of passports to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s (Bagan Datuk-BN) passport was used by Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN) to sarcastically question why the same was not accorded to Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, the opposition lawmaker congratulated Zahid on the Court of Appeal’s decision, stating that he is a “firm supporter” of the Barisan Nasional chairman.
“We must respect this great decision (by the court), but I’m wondering why the deputy public prosecutor (Abdul Malik Ayob) said that he had instructions not to object to the application,” Shahidan, a former Umno man, said while debating Budget 2023 at the committee level today.
He said if Zahid had been given his passport back permanently, the same should be extended to Rosmah, whose application for her passport was allowed last week, albeit temporarily.
“Have pity on (Rosmah). Since this Madani government (stands for) giving (equal treatment) to everyone, it shouldn’t only be selected people who get their passports returned back to them,” he added, eliciting laughter from other opposition backbenchers.
Both Zahid and Rosmah are currently facing corruption trials.
Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (Tampin-BN) then interjected Shahidan’s speech saying: “If the laws have been decided as such, then we should just ‘redha’ (accept).”
Earlier today, Zahid, who is facing 47 corruption charges, was allowed to permanently retain his personal and diplomatic passports for the purpose of official travel.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court had, in early February, dismissed Zahid’s application for the return of his passports, which were surrendered to the court as part of bail terms in his Yayasan Akalbudi corruption trial.
Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, is facing charges involving criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering in relation to the foundation’s funds.
Rosmah’s passport was impounded by the court in 2019 after she was charged with corruption, with the high court here last year finding Rosmah guilty of three graft charges involving RM1.25 billion in connection with a hybrid solar project for schools in Sarawak. She is currently appealing the conviction. – The Vibes, March 27, 2023
