KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is set to challenge the Malaysian Bar's filing for a judicial review of his discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) decision over his Yayasan Akalbudi case.
In the Sept 4 proceedings, the High Court had issued a DNAA after allowing an application by the prosecution, who had informed that the Attorney General's Chambers wished to drop the proceedings against him.
Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk member of parliament, had faced 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money-laundering involving funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
Zahid's counsel Guok Ngek Seong told reporters today that they will file the legal papers on the issue before Jan 11, which is when the High Court will hear the Bar Council's application for a judicial review.
The Bar Council, in an application filed on Dec 2, had named the Attorney General and Zahid as respondents in their application for the DNAA decision to be rescinded.
It had also applied for a declaration that the AG's decision was null and void, and had overstepped its authority under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution and Section 254(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
It had also applied for a declaration that the decision was "unreasonable and tainted with irrationality."
The Bar, as the sole applicant, had applied for a mandamus order from the court to instruct the AG to act in accordance with the law and if applicable, act under Section 254A of the Criminal Procedure Code to prosecute Zahid again.
It is also seeking an order for the AG to provide the Bar with information on the status of further investigations into Zahid's case, including any move to file new charges, proceed with the trial, or cancel investigations.