Malaysian PM Anwar cops backlash as Ahmad Zahid’s embezzlement charges dropped on Reformasi anniversary

The high court’s move to drop Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid’s embezzlement charges has put the credibility of PM Anwar’s reform agenda in doubt

Critics noted the timing of the decision had come days after the 25th anniversary of Reformasi, Anwar’s anti-corruption political movement

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Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reacts after leaving the High Court in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 1:12pm, 4 Sep 2023Updated: 9:00pm, 4 Sep 2023

The Malaysian high court’s move to drop 47 embezzlement charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stirred outrage on Monday, as the credibility of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s reform agenda and vow to clean up the country’s corruption-mired politics came under fire.

As the news broke that Ahmad Zahid, second only in infamy to jailed former prime minister Najib Razak, will walk free over charges of misappropriating millions of dollars from his own charitable foundation, critics rounded on Anwar’s administration, which needed Umno – Ahmad Zahid’s party – to form a government.

The court’s approval of the prosecution’s application to drop the case was “an utter waste of public funds”, said political activist Ambiga Sreenevasan. “I hope no [unity government] politician dares to justify this or ever again say they are anti-corruption,” she said.

Ahmad Zahid (left) with PM Anwar (second from left), Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (second from right) and Queen Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah (right) at the country’s 66th National Day celebrations in Putrajaya on August 31. Photo: AFP

The decision came as no great surprise to many Malaysians, who had long speculated that an acquittal was part of an agreement that brought together Ahmad Zahid’s Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition with Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan alliance to form a “unity government” – despite the two sides being bitter rivals.

Yet there were wry references to the timing of the decision, coming days after the 25th anniversary of Reformasi, Anwar’s anti-corruption political movement.

“25 years of Reformasi, only to see Zahid Hamidi walk free today,” quipped a comment on X, formerly known as Twitter.

While Anwar did not have a direct hand in the decision, experts say the fact that it was triggered by an application by the Attorney General’s Chambers – which ultimately answers to the prime minister – leaves little ambiguity that Anwar is aware of the matter.