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
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.
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.
Meddling fears as Malaysia drops lead prosecutor in deputy PM’s corruption case
The decision also came in a crucial few days between the resignation of retiring Attorney General Idrus Harun, and the appointment of his successor, Terriruddin Salleh.
The discharge stops short of a full acquittal, a potential answer to accusations of special treatment to a key government ally, which means Ahmad Zahid could be charged again if new evidence emerged.
Ahmad Zahid told reporters he would seek an acquittal, which frees him of any further legal threat.
“I and all my family members … are grateful to God because today the court has made the decision that the 47 charges against me have been discontinued,” he said.
Allies of Ahmad Zahid scrambled for an acceptable narrative for his discharge, with some claiming it proved that the deputy prime minister was a victim of selective political prosecution, calling it a black mark on the country’s judiciary.
“Umno’s firm stance under this unity government is that all politically-linked prosecutions that toy with the institutions that form the ramparts of our justice system no longer happen,” said Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, secretary general of Umno.
Others, like Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, dismissed it as the court’s decision, citing that it similarly acquitted former leader Muhyiddin Yassin of his set of corruption charges last month.
But Ahmad Zahid’s legal reprieve provoked fury from political opponents and those who want to see Malaysia’s culture of impunity ended for political corruption.
“Stop making excuses. Start demanding answers,” said social commentator Iqbal Fatkhi, whose online content often slants towards Pakatan Harapan.
Writer Rohan Javet Beg meanwhile said the “whataboutism” defence did not work in the face of Anwar and Pakatan Harapan’s self-styled image as reformists. “They hold themselves up to a higher ethical standard. And so should we,” he said.
Drop Najib’s 1MDB charges, Malaysia’s Ahmad Zahid says citing ‘memo’
The prime minister from 2009 to 2018, Najib was instrumental in the workings of the 1MDB scandal that siphoned billions of dollars from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund. He was jailed for 12 years after being found guilty in one of the cases, and is being tried on other similar charges.
Despite being jailed for over a year now, his supporters continue to hope for an early release for their erstwhile hero.
“I hope the existing charge against Najib is dropped,” said Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi to the local news agency Free Malaysia Today.
With his reputation as a reformist in tatters, Anwar’s famous cry of “Reformasi” has similarly been relegated to the history books, critics say.
In its place is “Malaysia Madani”, his policy framework and slogan for good governance, sustainable development and racial harmony that is now at the front and centre of his administration, despite many Malaysians still struggling to grasp what it actually means.
