Malaysia’s ‘court cluster’ gets respite as Umno boss Zahid is acquitted in bribery case

Zahid, an ally of former leader Najib Razak, is part of ‘court cluster’ of Umno politicians facing criminal cases

He faces a second corruption trial but his acquittal is relief for Umno as it eyes a return to power after its historic loss in the watershed 2018 election

2-MIN READ2-MIN

Zahid (centre) is part of a wider group of Umno politicians facing criminal cases that is often referred to as the “Kluster Mahkamah”, the court cluster, by local media. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:10pm, 23 Sep 2022

The leader of Malaysia’s United Malays National Organisation (Umno), also a former deputy premier and ally of former leader Najib Razak, was on Friday acquitted in one of the two corruption trials he is facing, marking a rare legal respite for Umno politicians ahead of possible early elections.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Najib, who is serving a 12-year jail term for his involvement in the scandal-tainted state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), are part of a wider group of Umno politicians facing criminal cases that is often referred to as the “Kluster Mahkamah”, the court cluster, by local media.

Zahid was acquitted after the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him, according to local media citing High Court Judge Mohd Yazid Mustafa. He was on trial over bribery accusations in Malaysia’s foreign visa system while he was home minister.

He faces another trial involving corruption in a charity that is in advanced stages, with the court ruling he had to enter a defence.

Speaking to supporters after Friday’s ruling, Zahid, 69, reiterated that he was not involved in any wrongdoing.

Zahid has accepted that he was slapped with the charges but stood by his claim that he never committed such offences. Photo: EPA-EFE

“I was vilified and embarrassed, but today I have been vindicated. The truth has prevailed,” said Zahid at the Shah Alam High Court.