KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he wanted the Attorney General Chambers (AGC) to postpone its decision to drop the charges against Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the Yayasan Akal Budi case if he has the power to do so.

The Prime Minister said this when he reiterated that he did not interfere with the decision by the AGC in the Umno president's discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA).

While he understand the concerns raised by several quarters surrounding the development of the case involving one of his deputy prime ministers, Anwar urged the unhappy lot to read and understand in its entirety the decision by the AGC when it applied to drop the charges against Zahid.

"If I have the power, I want (the AGC) to postpone (its decision to drop the charges against Zahid).

"I wanted to let the (on-going Pulai and Simpang Jeram) by-elections to proceed and conclude.

"However, the AG at the time (Tan Sri Idrus Harun did not agree with my wishes since his last day (of service) was on the fifth (of September this year).

"He do not intend to shirk from his responsibility by letting the matter to be managed by others (his successor)," Anwar told reporters here today.

On Monday, Zahid was granted by the High Court a DNAA on 12 criminal breach of trust charges, eight counts of bribery and 27 for money laundering, involving millions of ringgit belonging to the foundation.

He was accused of committing the offences between March 28, 2016, and April 11, 2018.He was charged on Oct 19, 2018, and was later ordered to enter his defence.

When the court grants a DNAA, it means that the accused is discharged from the current charges without being acquitted of the charges.

The case is temporarily put on hold or suspended, but the prosecution has the option to refile the charges or reinstate the case at a later time if new evidence or circumstances warrant it.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/09/952675/anwar-wants-agc-postpone-decision-drop-corruption-charges-against-zahid