Court’s decision on Zahid may throw spanner in Pakatan’s works for this weekend’s by-elections, observers suggest
The analysts told Malay Mail that Pakatan Harapan (PH) may now be on the back foot to explain the decision to voters, with International Islamic University Malaysia’s Syaza Shukri saying the pact would look hypocritical if it says or does nothing.
(MMO) – The recent decision to not pursue Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s Yayasan Akalbudi trial will likely affect the performance of the unity government in the two upcoming by-elections in Johor, several political observers have suggested.
The analysts told Malay Mail that Pakatan Harapan (PH) may now be on the back foot to explain the decision to voters, with International Islamic University Malaysia’s Syaza Shukri saying the pact would look hypocritical if it says or does nothing.
“Perikatan Nasional (PN) is known for its ‘clean and stable’ slogan and they will use this to their advantage better than PH and Barisan Nasional (BN).
“Plus PH supporters may not be too happy as well and choose to stay out. But I think PN will benefit most by using this as part of their campaign,” the assistant professor of political science said when contacted.
Syaza said while Umno and the federal government coalition may yet stay intact, they have the onus to explain the decision to not go to trial when prima facie evidence has been established.
“More investigation? It doesn’t make sense. Someone needs to answer,” she said.
However, she said the ruling coalition will face a drawn-out battle to defend itself against accusations by PN and even the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) of playing the same old politics.
“This will impact the long-term strategy of how to place what PH-BN stands for. Supposedly for reform. Now what? It’s a long road to fix PH’s reputation and we can already foresee the assault,” she said.
Yesterday, the High Court granted an order to discharge but not acquit Zahid from all 47 charges in his Yayasan Akalbudi trial as asked by the prosecution said it would not continue the trial against the BN chairman. The defence had asked for a full acquittal, which trial judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah declined.
The 47 charges were 12 counts of criminal breach of trust in relation to over RM31 million of Yayasan Akalbudi’s funds, 27 counts of money laundering, and eight counts of bribery charges of over RM21.25 million in alleged bribes.
