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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright December 2022
If we were to go by a recent precedence, Zahid's ongoing cases might be dropped now that he is in the government.
During the earlier PH1 government, an ongoing case against a senior minister was dropped by a newly appointed AG and incidentally Anwar was also pardoned unconditionally by the King.
This incidence was repeated several times by UMNO delegates during their assembly in pushing for dissolution of Parliament in the hope of forming their own government and appointing their own AG.
So, if that could happen, then why wouldn't it happen again in this PH2 government?
Salim Bashir, a local attorney was quoted by FMT as saying that "there is no law to bar an accused person from repeatedly writing to the AG, who is also the public prosecutor, to withdraw, suspend or reduce the charges brought against him."
“There have been many instances in the past when the AG has accepted representations although the trial was already at an advanced stage,” Salim told FMT.
In fact, according to Salim, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi may still make another representation for the attorney-general (AG) to review his Yayasan Akalbudi corruption charges although the trial begun three years earlier and he had been ordered by judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah to enter his defence.
Apparently, according to FMT, Zahid’s lawyers have written at least four times to the AG seeking a review of the charges, but have been unsuccessful so far.
Perhaps if there was a change of AG as proposed by UMNO delegates, there could be a change of heart and charges against Zahid might just be withdrawn and perhaps Najib could be released too?
“The AG can accept a representation to withdraw charges. However, (he must act) judiciously and must be prepared to give reasons,” Salim told FMT.
Zahid is facing 47 corruption charges, 12 for criminal breach of trust, 8 are for graft, and 27 for money laundering. The case is scheduled to resume on January 16 2023.
He is also facing an appeal by the prosecution on his acquittal over 40 corruption charges of receiving bribes from a company to extend its foreign visa system (VLN) contract.
So for Zahid this is an opportunity of a lifetime to clear himself of all charges if he could convince the prosecution to drop all charges and withdraw the appeal against his recent acquittal.
All he needs now is just a sympathetic AG.
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