Anwar Calls For Zahid Case To Proceed Is Asking Me To Abuse My Power

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he understands criticisms against the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
However, he stressed that calls for the case to proceed are tantamount to asking him to abuse his power.
The Pakatan Harapan chairperson was commenting on Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s threat that his party would withdraw support for the coalition government if no detailed explanation is given on the matter.
“I want to stress that it is the MACC or the police who investigate, the attorney-general prosecutes, and the judge decides.
“I fault the backlash to the ‘system’ inherited over the last few decades, where politicians are seen as ‘greedy, cruel’ beings who victimised the people,” Anwar told reporters after Friday prayers at Masjid Jamek in Seri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur today.
“I underwent the process. Now that I’m the prime minister, I’m not willing to use it against anyone else,” he added.
Anwar emphasised that since taking office nine months ago, he never intervened in the judiciary.
On Tuesday, Syed Saddiq demanded a detailed explanation from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) on Zahid’s DNAA - failing which the youth-based party will withdraw support for the coalition government.
Doing so would effectively deny the government a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, as Anwar’s government came to power after the 15th general election with the backing of 148 MPs, including Syed Saddiq, who represents Muar.
Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul RahmanMuda also demanded the AGC provide a detailed explanation of the DNAA in Parliament which convenes next week, so it can be debated.
To this, Anwar said Parliament was not a court to discuss cases.
Separation of powers
The prime minister also said the process to separate power between the attorney-general and public prosecutor is ongoing.
“The government has made a decision (on the separation) much earlier. This is ongoing and we have not even referred it to the select committee.
“It will cost a lot of money. Fair, it has to be done, it will be done. But please don’t suggest it has not been decided.
“You can’t bulldoze it in a few weeks and we need to have a two-thirds majority to effect this reform,” Anwar added.
On Selangor Perikatan Nasional chief Azmin Ali's remark that Anwar’s ‘reformasi’ struggle was now a ‘reformati’ (dead reforms) movement, the Harapan chairperson said it was Azmin’s fault.
“He (Azmin) was the one who killed (mematikan) reformasi. Otherwise, God willing, all is still good,” Anwar said. - Mkini

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