Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has firmly countered allegations from Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin regarding the speed of legal charges filed against him, labeling such claims as a display of “double standards” by the opposition.
Speaking to the media on August 27, 2024, Zahid addressed criticisms from Muhyiddin and other Perikatan Nasional leaders who argued that the sedition charges against the Bersatu president were filed in a hasty and politically motivated manner. Zahid, who was officiating at the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Technical Seminar at the World Trade Centre, refuted these claims with a robust defense of the judicial process.
Zahid argued that Muhyiddin’s accusations of rushed proceedings were inconsistent, pointing out that similar claims were made during Zahid’s own legal troubles. In 2022, Zahid faced multiple charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT), corruption, and money laundering. Despite the accusations, he was later discharged not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for 47 graft charges in September of the previous year.
“When the charges are against them, it’s suddenly ‘done in a hurry’. But when I faced charges, the opposition claimed it was after a ‘very comprehensive investigation’,” Zahid remarked. He criticized the opposition for what he perceived as hypocrisy, noting that the Attorney General’s Chambers has the authority to proceed with charges once an investigation is completed, irrespective of the timing.
Zahid further emphasized that his own charges were initially filed before investigations were fully concluded, which led to subsequent amendments to the charges. He stressed that the judicial system must be seen as impartial and consistent, regardless of the political context.
Zahid's comments come in response to Muhyiddin’s recent court appearance, where the former Prime Minister was charged with sedition at the Gua Musang Sessions Court in Kelantan. Muhyiddin has claimed trial following the reading of the charges by Judge Nik Mohd Tarmizie Nik Mohd Shukri.
The Deputy Prime Minister's remarks underscore a broader debate about the fairness and timing of legal proceedings in politically charged cases. Zahid’s defense highlights a recurring theme in Malaysian politics, where legal actions against high-profile figures often spark accusations of bias and political maneuvering.
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