Anwar in a difficult position over Zahid’s corruption trial, says MP

PETALING JAYA: A PKR MP has expressed pity for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who he says is in a difficult position because of his deputy, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s corruption trial.

“Anwar’s government cannot avoid the question as to how the administration can be respected when one of the deputy prime ministers is facing trial for corruption and criminal breach of trust (CBT),” said Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim in a Facebook post.

Hassan said without the cooperation of Barisan Nasional and Umno, which are led by Zahid, Anwar’s government would collapse.

But, he said, continuing to work with Zahid would affect Anwar, PKR and Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) image as reformists.

Zahid is accused of 47 counts of money laundering and CBT involving millions of ringgit from Yayasan Akalbudi and accepting bribes for various projects during his tenure as the home minister between 2013 and 2018.

Twelve of the charges are for CBT, eight for corruption and the remaining 27 for money laundering.

Hassan said if Zahid was acquitted, Anwar and his government would face criticism and be accused of interfering in the judiciary.

The next question, he said, is whether the attorney-general (AG) would file an appeal.

However, this may give rise to a conflict of interests as the AG is the legal adviser to the government which Zahid is a part of.

Should the AG decide against filing an appeal, it would also lead to criticism of Anwar, he said.

“This is the dilemma faced by Anwar as a result of appointing a deputy prime minister facing trial,” he said.

Hassan said the reputation of Anwar, PKR and PH as reformists would suffer a setback and they may lose the trust of the people if they continue to collaborate with Zahid.

“To me, BN and Umno leaders who are facing trial for corruption and CBT are akin to a virus that is infecting Anwar, PKR and PH.

“There is no vaccine for this toxic poison. In the end, it could be fatal,” he said. — Free Malaysia Today