Federal Court grants Ahmad Zahid Hamidi permission to appeal Bar's challenge over withdrawn charges
The Federal Court approved Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s request to appeal a ruling that let the Malaysian Bar seek a judicial review of the withdrawal of his 47 criminal charges.
In Putrajaya, the Federal Court issued leave for Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to appeal a lower-court decision that permitted the Malaysian Bar to launch a judicial review of the prosecution’s withdrawal of 47 criminal counts. The bench, composed of judges Hashim Hamzah, Nordin Hassan and Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali, ruled that the case presents novel constitutional issues of public significance requiring the Court’s definitive ruling.
The charges, encompassing corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering, were withdrawn on Sept 4, 2023, after Zahid was ordered to submit a defence in the Yayasan Akalbudi matter. The Bar’s challenge seeks to scrutinise the propriety of the withdrawal. The Federal Court’s acceptance of the appeal signals that the legal questions will be examined at the highest judicial level.
Why it matters
The decision determines whether a senior political figure can contest the dismissal of serious criminal charges, affecting legal precedent and political accountability.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth left-leaning and right-leaning coverage report the Federal Court’s grant of leave for Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to appeal, emphasizing the novel constitutional issues and procedural significance, with no substantive difference in framing.
LEFT
Frames the decision as a significant procedural development highlighting novel constitutional issues of public importance.
RIGHT
Frames the decision as a grant of leave that underscores novel constitutional issues of public significance and the pending legal questions.
The left emphasises
- significant procedural development
- novel constitutional issues of public importance
- applicants met statutory criteria for leave
The right emphasises
- granting leave to appeal
- novel constitutional issues of public significance
- signals that legal questions will be addressed
In this story
