PETALING JAYA: Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said has slammed DAP MP RSN Rayer for urging the prime minister to ensure that the attorney-general (AG) charges deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi again in his Yayasan Akalbudi case.
Azalina, the law minister, said the constitution empowers the AG to use his discretion to initiate or halt proceedings for offences, adding that "the prime minister is not the AG".
In a statement, she said the AG's decision to prosecute a person must be based on legal considerations, facts and evidence, not political pressure.
"You cannot reject political interference in prosecution while urging the prime minister to ensure that charges are filed against a certain individual because you disagree with the outcome.
"The principle of prosecutorial independence must be respected in political practice, not merely in proposals for institutional reforms," she said.
In debating the 2027 budget yesterday, Rayer urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to ensure that his deputy, Zahid, stands trial again for the Yayasan Akalbudi case.
The Jelutong MP said Putrajaya must not practise selective prosecution in combating graft, questioning the move to drop Zahid's charges in the first place.
In September 2023, Zahid was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) on all 47 charges linked to Yayasan Akalbudi, pending further investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
In January, the AG's Chambers (AGC) announced that the Umno president's case had been classified as requiring no further action (NFA).
AG Dusuki Mokhtar also said the case was concluded "once and for all" after considering representations from Zahid's defence, and that the Barisan Nasional chairman "cannot be charged anymore".
Azalina said those claiming selective prosecution must have evidence to back their allegation, adding that Zahid's DNAA and NFA do not prove such a claim.
She also said the AGC had already explained its reasons for seeking the DNAA and classifying the case as NFA.
"No one should be granted legal immunity simply because of their political position. At the same time, all individuals, including Umno leaders, deserve a fair legal process and should not be the target of prosecution merely to meet political demands."
She also pointed out that the apex court has granted the AG and Zahid leave to appeal a ruling allowing the Malaysian Bar to challenge the DNAA, and that this case is ongoing.