Bad perception of Zahid should extend to opposition leaders with graft cases: Johari Ghani
“I think the opposition, like DAP, also has this perception issue. Why is it that it is okay for the DAP but not okay for Umno?”
(The Vibes) – The likes of DAP questioning the candidacy of Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the coming general election should also be questioning their own candidates who have criminal charges hanging over their heads.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Johari Ghani said the principle of innocence until proven guilty must be observed.
“The courts have yet to find him guilty, so we must not prejudge,” he said, referring to the graft charges that the former deputy prime minister is facing.
Zahid is facing 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, graft, and money laundering concerning funds belonging to charitable foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi.
Earlier this month, the former home minister was acquitted of 40 graft charges against him in another case.
He was charged with accepting S$13.56 million (RM43.39 million) from a company to facilitate the award of a contract for a foreign visa system (VLN) and one-stop services in China, as well as for the extension of the contract till 2025. The prosecution has filed an appeal against the acquittal.
He was also facing graft charges, accused of obtaining for himself bribes amounting to RM3.12 million.
