KOTA KINABALU: The decision of the High Court to acquit Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the Foreign Visa System (VLN) corruption trial should be respected, says Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

"A decision has been made and we respect it as it is the law," he told reporters at Pulau Larapan in Semporna following the decision on Friday (Sept 23).

Dismissing suggestions of political interference in the case, Shafie said it would be contempt to question the decision. 

Under the law, the court made its decision on what was presented in the case, he said.

"If the prosecution wants to appeal, that would be its (prerogative) under the law too," he added.

High Court judge Justice Mohd Yazid Mustafa earlier held that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against Ahmad Zahid, the former deputy prime minister and home minister.

He ordered a discharge and acquittal on 40 charges in the case.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/23/shafie-respect-court-decision-to-acquit-ahmad-zahid