Malaysian Bar files judicial review of Zahid’s DNAA

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Bar has filed a judicial review over the Attorney General’s (AG) decision involving Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s 47 charges.

On Sept 4, the AG applied for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for the Deputy Prime Minister’s charges.

ALSO READ: We never ‘withdrew’ case against Zahid, DNAA followed due process, says AGC

The Malaysian Bar president, Karen Cheah Yee Lynn, said they had taken this legal recourse as part of its statutory duty to uphold the cause of justice uninfluenced by fear or favour.

She added that it cannot be disputed that a prima facie case was established with Ahmad Zahid’s trial, which began more than four years ago on 18 November 2019.

“77 days of trial had been conducted, Zahid Hamidi’s 15th witness had given evidence, and the matter was in the midst of its defence stage on Sept 4,” she said.

ALSO READ: Zahid leaving it to AG to explain DNAA

Karen said the judicial review would seek certiorari, or writ, to quash the AG’s decision on Sept 4 to apply for a DNAA in Zahid Hamidi’s case.

She said that a mandamus, or court order, will also be directed to the AG to furnish the Malaysian Bar with all information, documentation, reasons, basis, and particulars involved in the decision to apply for a DNAA for Ahmad Zahid’s case.

“It can’t be emphasised enough that a judicial review process is important to challenge public bodies’ decisions, actions, or omissions,” she said.

“This is if checks and balances on the Executive and Legislative are required or where the basic structure of our Federal Constitution is called into question for proper interpretation — in the interest of our democracy,” she added.

She said Ahmad Zahid’s case held national and public interest as it involved grave accusations of criminal breach of trust, bribery, and money laundering against an individual in power and authority when he was charged.