[UPDATED] AGs under scrutiny: Parliamentary committee demands answers on Zahid’s DNAA

KUALA LUMPUR – The Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Human Rights, Election and Institutional Reform is set to call two attorney-generals (AGs) to provide their explanation regarding the application for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Bagan Datuk-BN) in his corruption trial.

Addressing the Dewan Rakyat today, William Leong Jee Keen (Selayang-PH), who is the committee chairman, said it will present a report on its findings after “investigations” have been completed.

“The committee will conduct its proceedings and call two AGs to provide their explanations (on Zahid’s DNAA). Let this now be public knowledge.”

Leong, however, did not name which of the AGs would be called up.

On September 8, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had applied for a DNAA to be granted to Zahid, leading to the conditional release of the deputy prime minister from all 47 of his corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering charges. 

September 5 marked the end of Tan Sri Idrus Harun’s tenure as AG before Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh took over the post on September 6.  

Leong’s announcement, however, appeared to not sit well with Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN), who is also a member of the PSSC, as he claimed that he was not made aware of the decision to summon the AGs. 

“The committee is controlled by the opposition, we just listen in here and there (when) they discuss issues among themselves before informing the Dewan (about decisions),” Shahidan said, misrepresenting himself as being part of the government. 

He also appeared to pooh-pooh the committee’s role in Parliament, saying: “What can the committee do? It just makes suggestions to the Dewan, but MPs want to know right now (regarding Zahid’s DNAA).”

Earlier on, Khoo Poay Tiong (Kota Melaka-PH) lambasted Shahidan for seemingly feigning ignorance on the committee’s decision, chiding the PAS lawmaker for continuously raising the issue in Parliament “for cheap politics.” 

“Arau (Shahidan) is on the committee, we’ve discussed this (summoning two AGs) before and everyone in the committee knows this. Why is Arau still raising the matter?” he questioned. 

Khoo also said that Arau is not the only opposition backbencher part of the committee, pointing to Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (Besut-PN) and Zahari Kechik (Jeli-PN). 

Previously, opposition MPs had been up in arms over Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s rejection of their attempts to put forth a motion calling for an AG to explain the prosecution’s act of submitting a DNAA request for Zahid. 

Johari later told MPs in the lower House that while he had promised to allow MPs room to present their emergency motion during the Dewan Rakyat’s ongoing special meeting, he had not specified when exactly MPs must take the floor. 

“Yesterday, I said that after the prime minister has tabled the sitting’s order of business, I will allow the motion to be put forth. I didn’t say that you can only do it yesterday or today, we have six days for this special sitting. 

“Don’t push me (by questioning) why you can’t discuss the motion today. I will not stop you when you raise the issue, why must it have been done yesterday?” 

This morning, opposition MPs had accused Johari of “backtracking” his promise to give the floor to MPs who wished to move a motion on Zahid’s DNAA. 

The six-day special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat, which began yesterday, saw the tabling of the Mid-Term Review of the 12th Malaysia Plan by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Tambun-PH), with debates to take place from Tuesday until Thursday. 

Replies by ministers are slated for Monday and Tuesday the following week, or September 18 and 19. — September 12, 2023