Zahid’s DNAA: Contempt of court, defamation risks

 No News Is Bad News

Zahid’s DNAA: Contempt of court, defamation risks

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7, 2023: The High Court’s decision to grant Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) over 47 charges of corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering has elicited many comments from politicians and the rakyat (people).

No News Is Bad News had refrained from making any comments, until now, following the court’s decision on Monday (Sept 4), because it was a court’s decision.

The responses from politicians depend on which side of the political divide they stand and their agenda, while individual Malaysian have voiced their concerns over the independence of their country judicial system.

Whatever that may be, court decisions are to be respected and those who criticise or question such decisions can be cited with contempt, depending on the judge’s senstiveness. That is the risk of running foul with the courts, not forgetting the risk of defaming Zahid.

So, it is just best to leave everything to the due process of the law.

Many were also quick to accuse the Anwar Ibrahim-led Unity Government (UG) of intruding into the independence of the judiciary.

Whatever aspersions one may cast on the ruling Government, the independence of the judiciary is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

Moreoever, whatever accusations made against the UG following the DNAA, the fact remains that more high-profile cases have been discharged in the judiciary history (see above image).

No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on the issues:

Talk to govt leaders on grouses over Zahid case, Syed Saddiq told

DAP vice-chairman Nga Kor Ming says this would be more professional than making media statements on the issue.

Faiz Zainudin - 07 Sep 2023, 1:15pm

DAP vice-chairman Nga Kor Ming said the party would not leave the unity government due to Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s DNAA, adding that it is a ‘loyal friend’.

PUTRAJAYA: Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman should meet the unity government’s top leaders to voice the party’s dissatisfaction over deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi being granted a conditional discharge from his graft charges, says a DAP leader.

Nga Kor Ming, the party’s vice-chairman, said that a face-to-face discussion would be more professional than making public statements to the media regarding developments in the case involving Zahid, the Umno president.

The local government development minister was responding to Muda’s warning that it might reconsider its position in the unity government following Zahid’s discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) given by the High Court in his corruption case on Monday.

“He (Syed Saddiq) is among the MPs supporting the government, so apart from going to the media, he should discuss the issue with the top leaders,” he said. “That’s more professional.”

Nga added that DAP would not leave the unity government due to Zahid’s DNAA, adding that the party is a “loyal friend”.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Syed Saddiq said that “the biggest red line (was) crossed” after Zahid’s DNAA in his Yayasan Akalbudi case, where he was released from 47 charges of corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

This follows the prosecution’s decision to apply for a discharge on Zahid’s charges. The application was made after representations to the attorney-general’s chambers by Zahid’s lawyers.

Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah made the ruling after saying that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is still investigating the case.

He also said the DNAA is in view of the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) being formed to look into claims in former attorney-general Tommy Thomas’s controversial memoir, particularly on alleged selective prosecution.