Malaysian prosecutors have halted the corruption prosecution of Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, stating that evidence is insufficient to continue. The AGC reached the decision after reviewing materials obtained during more than two years of further investigations. In September 2023, the Kuala Lumpur High Court had granted Zahid a discharge not amounting to an acquittal on 47 counts related to his charitable foundation. The move has raised political questions given UMNO's role in supporting the ruling coalition.
Malaysian AGC Ends Graft Case Against Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid, Citing Insufficient Evidence
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and current president of the UMNO party Ahmad Zahid Hamidi leaves the Kuala Lumpur High Court complex after the court dropped corruption charges against him, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September 4, 2023. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (Reuters) — Malaysian prosecutors announced on Thursday that they have ended the corruption prosecution against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, saying the evidence obtained is insufficient to continue the case.
The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) said the decision follows more than two years during which graft charges were paused to allow further investigation. In September 2023, the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted Zahid a discharge not amounting to an acquittal on 47 counts, including criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering, linked to funds associated with his charitable foundation.
AGC Statement And Rationale
The AGC said it reviewed all materials and new evidence obtained during the further investigations and, based on prosecutorial assessment, found the available evidence insufficient to support continuation of the prosecution for all charges. The office added that the decision was made under the Attorney General's powers in the Federal Constitution and relevant laws and was taken "taking into account the interests of justice, integrity of the prosecution process, as well as the need to ensure certainty and accuracy in the criminal justice system."
"After examining all the materials and new evidence obtained from the further investigations and research, the AGC...found that the available evidence is insufficient to support continuation of the prosecution for all the charges in question."
Political Context
The 2023 court order and Thursday's decision have prompted public and political questions about Malaysia's commitment to fighting corruption. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration relies on support from Ahmad Zahid's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) to retain its parliamentary majority, a dynamic critics say could complicate high-profile prosecutions.
The AGC's announcement effectively closes the current proceedings, but because the earlier discharge was not an acquittal, the legal situation remains sensitive and could change if new evidence emerges. (Reporting by Ashley Tang; Editing by David Stanway)
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