KUALA LUMPUR: DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said he will let the Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reform pursue its intention to hold proceedings on Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's withdrawal of corruption charges.
"Let the process take place," he told the New Straits Times briefly on the committee's proposal to discuss Zahid's discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) ruling in the case of the misappropriation of funds of Yayasan Akalbudi.
Earlier, committee chairman William Leong had suggested the proceedings as the recent cases of leaders discharged of corruption charges gave a negative perception that there was indeed an interference in the Attorney-General's Chambers by certain parties.
Zahid had yesterday said he was confident that the committee would be able to clarify the DNAA ruling.
Loke had said while DAP respected the court's process, former Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Idrus Harun's explanation on factors which led to the decision was crucial.
AG Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh had said charges against an accused may be dropped at any moment as long as judgment has not been passed.
He said such decisions can be made even after a prima facie case has been established.
He added that it was not the first time a charge has been dropped after a prima facie case was established.
Loke had said DAP stood by its stance and had conveyed this to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Zahid, who is the deputy prime minister, was granted by the High Court a DNAA of 12 criminal breach of trust charges, eight counts of bribery and 27 for money laundering, involving millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
He was accused of committing the offences between March 28, 2016, and April 11, 2018.
He was charged on Oct 19, 2018, and was later ordered to enter his defence.
A DNAA means that the accused is discharged from the current charges without being acquitted of the charges.
The case is temporarily put on hold or suspended, but the prosecution has the option to refile the charges or reinstate the case at a later time if new evidence or circumstances warrant it.
Read more: Zahid confident in Special Select Committee's ability to clarify DNAA ruling
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