Zahid should step down, Muda-PSM say in protest memo to AGC

Muda and its electoral partner Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) today demanded a full explanation from the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) in Parliament of the decision to halt the proceedings in Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's court case and discharge the deputy prime minister of all 47 counts of corruption, money laundering and criminal breach of trust amounting to tens of millions of ringgit. 

In a memorandum submitted to the AGC today, they said that charges should be brought against Zahid once more, and the case continued until a concrete explanation can be given by the court. 

They also urged Zahid to step down as deputy prime minister until the case is complete, to prevent any conflict of interest. 

The memorandum came a day after Muda quit the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led government bloc in protest of the move to discharge Zahid in the Yayasan Akalbudi case. 

Calling it "the start of normalising corruption", Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said his party would now function as a third force in the opposition. 

"We cannot and will not tolerate this unprincipled move," he said. 

Zahid was given a discharge not amounting to acquittal on Sept 4 after the prosecution led by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar informed the judge of the AGC's request to discontinue the proceedings against him.

The memorandum signed by Muda secretary-general Amir Abdul Hadi and PSM Youth leader Arveent Kathirtchelvan expressed concern over a loss of credibility for the country's institutions because of this decision.

"Serious measures should be taken by the Madani government to curb any negative perceptions towards the country's administration, and to address the harmful effects from the halt in proceedings," it said. 

If the demands of Muda and PSM were not met within five working days or before Sept 18, it said, they would proceed with demonstrations in the spirit of democracy to give voice to the people's disappointment.