KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) has urged the unity government to address the backlash over the 'discharge not amounting to acquittal' (DNAA) verdict of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
It said the government must assure the people that the move is not a gateway for the release of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
KLSCAH, in a statement today, said the turn of events resembled the past government's selective prosecution or withdrawal of charges against some political figures, ultimately appearing as a self-defeating move by the unity government.
"We believe the government needs to assure the people, that it (the verdict) does not equate to 'test the waters' for the release of Najib.
"After all, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim promised a strict crackdown on corruption, but the verdict in Zahid's case has undermined the confidence of the people and civil society in the government's efforts to combat corruption."
KLSCAH said the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches has become mere rhetoric.
"Rebuilding public confidence in judicial reform is essential.
"Ensuring that even with changes in political leadership, the judicial institutions will not favour any party in power and that the phenomenon of selectively charging or dropping charges against certain political figures does not persist is something the unity government urgently needs to consider." the statement read.
Yesterday, Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah discharged Zahid, 70, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, after allowing deputy public prosecutor Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar's application, stating that the Attorney-General's office wanted to halt all proceedings against him at this stage.
Zahid faced 47 charges related to misappropriation of funds, corruption and illegal money transfers involving the Yayasan Akalbudi foundation he established.
