PUTRAJAYA, Oct 8, 2026 — The Federal Court has granted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the Attorney-General leave to appeal against a Court of Appeal decision allowing the Malaysian Bar to challenge the discontinuation of Zahid’s Yayasan Akalbudi corruption case.
A three-member Federal Court panel, led by Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Seri Hashim Hamzah, ruled unanimously that the case raises novel constitutional issues of public importance requiring clarification.
The case centres on the Attorney-General’s prosecutorial powers under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution, including whether such decisions can be subjected to judicial review.
The court also granted leave to examine whether judicial review can be pursued against a prosecutor’s application that resulted in a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA).
Zahid was granted a DNAA in September 2023 involving 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering linked to Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
The Malaysian Bar is seeking to challenge the decision to discontinue the prosecution.
The Federal Court will now hear the legal questions raised by Zahid and the Attorney-General.
-BERNAMA
