I never asked PM to drop my cases, says Zahid
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he still believed that the judicial system does not side with anyone.
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he has never asked Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob for help to get his corruption cases dropped.
In a speech at the party’s headquarters here, Zahid also denied that he was pushing for the next general election (GE15) to be expedited as he was afraid of being convicted.
“I still believe that our judicial system does not side with anyone. Anyone claiming that I am afraid of being convicted is actually afraid of me. These people are the ones who lack confidence and are afraid of their own shadows.”
Zahid faces 47 charges involving corruption, money laundering and criminal breach of trust (CBT) over millions of ringgit from his foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi, and accepting bribes for various projects during his tenure as home minister.
He also faces 33 charges involving corruption in the Shah Alam sessions court and a further seven similar charges in the Kuala Lumpur sessions court related to the foreign visa system.
Zahid has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Zahid said Umno’s push for snap polls was not new and that the party has been calling for elections since the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government collapsed as a result of their internal power struggle.
The crowd of over 3,000 people responded with shouts of “bubar” (dissolve Parliament).
“We are consistent that elections need to be held to respect the people’s mandate. We want a legitimate government that has the mandate of the people and not formed through political manoeuvring.”
In his speech, Zahid accused PH of exerting control over the country’s institutions when in power for political expediency, citing the appointments of Tommy Thomas and Latheefa Koya as the then Attorney-General (AG) and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner.
He said should Umno win GE15, they will push for reforms, including the separation of the role of the AG and public prosecutor to ensure a balance of power.
“Our stand is clear, we do not want any institution to be controlled by hidden hands.”
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he has never asked Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob for help to get his corruption cases dropped.
In a speech at the party’s headquarters here, Zahid also denied that he was pushing for the next general election (GE15) to be expedited as he was afraid of being convicted.
“I still believe that our judicial system does not side with anyone. Anyone claiming that I am afraid of being convicted is actually afraid of me. These people are the ones who lack confidence and are afraid of their own shadows.”
Zahid faces 47 charges involving corruption, money laundering and criminal breach of trust (CBT) over millions of ringgit from his foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi, and accepting bribes for various projects during his tenure as home minister.
He also faces 33 charges involving corruption in the Shah Alam sessions court and a further seven similar charges in the Kuala Lumpur sessions court related to the foreign visa system.
Zahid has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Zahid said Umno’s push for snap polls was not new and that the party has been calling for elections since the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government collapsed as a result of their internal power struggle.
The crowd of over 3,000 people responded with shouts of “bubar” (dissolve Parliament).
“We are consistent that elections need to be held to respect the people’s mandate. We want a legitimate government that has the mandate of the people and not formed through political manoeuvring.”
In his speech, Zahid accused PH of exerting control over the country’s institutions when in power for political expediency, citing the appointments of Tommy Thomas and Latheefa Koya as the then Attorney-General (AG) and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner.
He said should Umno win GE15, they will push for reforms, including the separation of the role of the AG and public prosecutor to ensure a balance of power.
“Our stand is clear, we do not want any institution to be controlled by hidden hands.”
Zahir and Najib can form a TwoSome in Kajang Resort....it helps oass the time...
ReplyDeleteLet's see what he will say should he be sent to join Najib.
ReplyDeleteIn any country with low corruption, the outcome would have been obvious. But, in Malaysia one can "donate" to the party of choice after receiving valuable contracts. This despite elements of corruption. And mind you, the sums involved are huge.