Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has filed an application with the Federal Court seeking leave to appeal a recent Court of Appeal ruling in his ongoing legal battle [1, 2].
The Court of Appeal in September 2023 allowed the Malaysian Bar to challenge the Attorney-General’s decision to halt all further proceedings against Zahid in the Yayasan Akalbudi corruption case [1, 2]. The AG’s decision on September 4, 2023, put a pause on prosecution over 47 criminal breach of trust, corruption, and money laundering charges against Zahid [1, 2].
Zahid, relying on Section 96 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, has submitted five legal questions in support of his leave application to appeal [1, 2]. The Federal Court is scheduled to conduct further case management on June 9, 2026 [1, 2].
Earlier, the High Court had dismissed the Malaysian Bar’s application for leave to initiate judicial review proceedings on June 27, 2024, while simultaneously granting Zahid a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) on all 47 charges [1, 2]. The Malaysian Bar seeks a declaration that this DNAA ruling is null and void, challenging the basis of the High Court’s decision [1, 2].
Attorney-General’s Chambers informed the court it intends to file an appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision and will seek a stay of proceedings at the High Court [1, 2].
Zahid’s counsel, Datuk Hamidi Mohd Noh, stated, "The court has set June 9 for further case management. We have informed the court that we filed a motion for leave to appeal to the Federal Court yesterday, regarding the leave granted by the Court of Appeal. The Attorney-General’s Chambers also informed the court that it will be filing an appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision and will be submitting an application to stay proceedings at the High Court" [2].
Further legal proceedings in the Federal Court will clarify the next steps in this high-profile corruption case.
