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UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is preparing to return to court to seek a full acquittal after prosecutors announced that there was no longer sufficient evidence to pursue charges in the long-running Yayasan Akalbudi case.
The Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister’s lead counsel, Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, confirmed that the defence will file an application for a discharge amounting to an acquittal (DAA) following the Attorney General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to halt the proceedings.
“We will make an application to court for a full acquittal,” Hisyam told The Edge in a statement today.
Yesterday, the AGC declared the case as “no further action” after reviewing the evidence, stating that it was insufficient to sustain a prosecution. The Chambers described the decision as the “final termination” of the matter.
The ruling follows additional investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and a reassessment of six representations submitted by Ahmad Zahid after he was previously granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) on 47 charges in September 2023.
The earlier DNAA ruling had allowed prosecutors the option to revive the case should new evidence surface.
The Yayasan Akalbudi case centred on allegations that Ahmad Zahid misappropriated RM31 million from his charitable foundation, encompassing 12 counts of criminal breach of trust, eight corruption charges, and 27 counts of money laundering.
From a legal standpoint, the AGC’s decision to classify the case as “no further action” differs from the previous DNAA ruling.
While the DNAA allowed for the possibility of reopening the prosecution if fresh evidence emerged, the current decision reflects the prosecution’s final position based on a comprehensive review of all investigations and current evidence.
The AGC noted that MACC had conducted an extensive follow-up investigation, including examinations of the foundation’s funding sources, procurement processes, and utilisation of funds. The decision also took into account six representations submitted by Ahmad Zahid during the prior proceedings.
Politically, the AGC’s move is likely to influence Ahmad Zahid’s image and standing as a key figure in Umno and within the government. While the ruling is grounded in legal considerations, the case has long attracted public attention due to its high profile.
In a broader context, the development highlights the role of enforcement and prosecutorial institutions in making decisions based on evidence and legal principles, while reinforcing the continued importance of judicial review as a mechanism to ensure transparency and accountability in Malaysia’s justice system.
Zahid’s legal standing has steadily improved following his 2022 acquittal on 40 graft charges linked to a foreign visa system contract, with the prosecution formally withdrawing its appeal against that verdict in December 2024.
The latest decision further consolidates his position and marks a significant milestone in both legal and political spheres. - January 9, 2025