Malaysians protest to demand reinstatement of graft charges against Ahmad Zahid: ‘justice for all’

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi walks free from 47 charges of corruption, sparking backlash from opposition and government supporters

The protest comes amid public outrage over what has been described as a betrayal of PM Anwar Ibrahim’s reform promises and anti-corruption pledge

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Protesters with placards that say “Prosecute Zahid, Save Malaysia” during the rally in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:43pm, 16 Sep 2023

Hundreds of people marched on the streets of Malaysia’s capital of Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to demand the reinstatement of corruption charges against a key ally of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as the government faces public outrage over what has been described as a betrayal of Anwar’s reform promises.

A High Court in Kuala Lumpur two weeks earlier discharged Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi from 47 charges of corruption linked to a charity foundation that he established.

The move sparked backlash from both opposition and government supporters, who slammed Anwar for allegedly turning his back on his anti-corruption pledge.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid leaves the High Court after the court dismissed 47 corruption charges against him on September 4. Photo: Bernama/dpa

Anwar has denied that his administration is walking back on its anti-graft stance, saying that it was entirely the decision of the attorney general based on facts that sufficiently disproved the charges levied against Ahmad Zahid.

Formerly a deputy to Prime Minister Najib Razak, Ahmad Zahid was charged in 2018 with 47 counts of corruption, abuse of power and bribery involving more than 72 million ringgit (US$15.8 million) allegedly tied to his family-owned charity foundation.

Organisers of the rally had pushed a social media campaign over the past week, urging the public to turn out in force to protest against the court’s decision to discharge Ahmad Zahid from his charges.

Rally organiser Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said they want the government to fulfil three demands – reinstate charges against Ahmad Zahid, ensure Malaysia’s anti-graft agency and the attorney general are freed from government control and “justice for all”.