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A Malaysian court has dismissed 47 corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the final stages of his trial.
by the associated press
Sep 4 2023, 2:44 am
FILE – Chairman of the United Malaysia National Organization (UMNO) and Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition Ahmad Zahid Hamidi waves the flags of the coalition during an event to name general election candidates at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia November 1, 2022. Happened. Malaysian court on Monday, September 4, 2023 dismissed 47 corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in an advanced stage of trial. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, File)
The Associated Press
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – A Malaysian court on Monday dismissed 47 corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the final stage of his trial.
Zahid later told a press conference that the High Court had acquitted him but refused to exonerate him completely, meaning he could still be charged. But he said he was grateful that “the politically-motivated charges against me have come to an end.”
Zahid heads the United Malaysia National Organization and his support has been key in helping Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim form a unity government. Zahid’s sacking could further damage the anti-corruption stance of Anwar’s government. Opposition leaders have alleged that Zahid supported Anwar so that the charges against him could be dropped.
Monday’s court ruling came just weeks after local elections in which the Islamic-Malay nationalist opposition bloc won strong support to advance in government-ruled states.
His lawyer Hsiam Teh Poh Teik said prosecutors sought a partial closure of the proceedings as further investigation was needed. He said the defense would apply for a complete acquittal. The dismissal came despite a court ruling in January 2022 that prosecutors had proved the case against Zahid and ordered him to appear in his defence.
Zahid. The 70 were charged after the long-ruling UMNO-led coalition lost the 2018 general election amid public anger over corruption. The then Prime Minister Najib Razak was charged with several corruption cases and is serving a 12-year prison sentence after losing a final appeal in one case.
Zahid faces 12 counts of criminal breach of trust, 27 counts of money laundering and eight counts of bribery of more than 31 million ringgit ($6.7 million) from his family’s foundation. More than 110 witnesses have testified. Prosecutors alleged that the money earmarked for the charity was misused for his personal use, including paying off his credit cards and making purchases.
Source: www.bing.com
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