KUALA LUMPUR – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been officially cleared of all charges related to the Yayasan Akalbudi corruption case, with Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar saying that Zahid is “free once and for all” and cannot be charged again in connection with the 47 criminal charges he faced.
Speaking to the media following the opening of the 2026 Legal Year, Dusuki explained that the decision to close the case was made after careful consideration of the facts and the law, particularly following six representations submitted by Zahid’s legal team, local media reported.
He stressed that the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had not acted on a whim, but had thoroughly reviewed the case based on further investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“Yes, (Zahid) is free, as stated in our previous statement. He is free, once and for all. There is no problem, because we are using our powers under Article 145 of the Federal Constitution,” Dusuki said. “When we say it’s over, it’s over. That’s it.”
The AGC’s decision follows a detailed review of the case, including a re-examination of the flow of funds which was a key issue in the investigation. Despite a 2023 High Court ruling that found a prima facie case against Zahid, Dusuki pointed out that further investigations led to the conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to continue with the charges.
“This is not a decision made arbitrarily. It’s a legal decision made based on the law and after considering all the facts and circumstances,” he added.
The case, which had been ongoing for years, involved Zahid being accused of embezzling millions of ringgit from his foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi, and accepting bribes during his tenure as home minister between 2013 and 2018.
Despite these serious charges, Dusuki made it clear that the case was now closed and that Zahid could not face any further charges in relation to the matter.
The AGC’s decision has sparked mixed reactions. DAP legal bureau chairman Ramkarpal Singh has questioned whether the AGC had revisited the prima facie findings from the High Court, expressing concerns over the lack of transparency.
“The public deserves to know why the AGC has reversed its position, particularly when the High Court had already found a case to answer,” he said.
Similarly, lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan expressed unease over the AGC’s claim that additional material had rendered the case no longer viable.
“The evidence was strong enough for the court to find a case to answer, and now the AGC says it’s insufficient. This contradiction undermines public confidence,” he said.
However, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail defended the AGC’s decision, stating that the Attorney-General had acted within his constitutional powers to make the final call. – January 12, 2026