THE “Save Malaysia Peaceful Gathering” set to take place tomorrow (Sept 16) afternoon in Kuala Lumpur will have a central demand – the call for Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to face renewed charges in court.
This event is organised by an ad hoc coalition known as the Save Malaysia Movement Secretariat, which has outlined three key demands in a statement released today.
The first demand is the reopening of charges against Zahid. The organisers insist on his prosecution in court, setting the stage for a potentially contentious legal battle.
The second demand focuses on ensuring the independence of both the attorney-general (AG) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) from executive interference. This call underscores the importance of preserving the integrity of these institutions.
“Our joint secretariat urges all Malaysians who value integrity and agree with our three demands to attend our rally tomorrow to show support.
“We give our assurance that the rally will be held peacefully and in the spirit of the Federal Constitution. We will ignore any provocation that might happen.
“We urge all participants to be disciplined during the event,” said the secretariat.
The secretariat comprises various organisations, including Gerakan Pembela Ummah, Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa, Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia, Mahasiswa United, Persatuan Progresif Perikemanusiaan Selangor, Gabungan Ayahanda Persilatan, PAS, Bersatu, Gerakan and Pejuang.
The backdrop for this gathering is the controversy surrounding Zahid.
The rally scheduled for Sept 16 was initiated by Perikatan Nasional Youth to protest the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ decision to withdraw charges against Zahid, despite a prima facie case being established by the court.
Moreover, prosecutors sought a discharge not amounting to an acquittal on Sept 4, arguing that further investigations against Zahid were necessary before continuing with the case.
The UMNO president was facing charges related to criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering involving Yayasan Akal Budi, a charity he founded and led. His legal team has indicated their intention to file an appeal for a full acquittal, prompting critics to accuse Putrajaya of interfering with the criminal justice system in an effort to secure his release.
However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has maintained that the decision was made by former AG Tan Sri Idrus Harun, after reviewing several representation letters from Zahid.
As tensions mount ahead of the rally, the nation watches closely to see how these demands and the legal fate of Zahid unfold. – Sept 15, 2023
Main photo credit: Zahid’s Facebook
