The Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, has been allowed by the Court of Appeal to obtain his international passport and a diplomatic passport permanently, to enable him to carry out his official duties abroad.
According to a report by Berita Harian, a 3 judge panel of the Court of Appeal chaired by Judge Datuk Hanipah Farikullah unanimously approved Ahmad Zahid’s application after the High Court last rejected his application to obtain the document on February 3 (Friday).
At that time, Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah said that the Federal Constitution stipulates that all individuals are equal before the law and that the court does not give advantages or privileges according to the status of the community but instead puts the law at the top level.
Now, the panel believes that the application made by Zahid Hamidi has merit.
“The court has examined the applicant’s arguments, therefore allowing this application,” shared Judge Datuk Hanipah.
Zahid Hamidi’s review application was also not objected to by the Deputy Public Prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob.
Prior to this, Zahid Hamidi had shared through a supporting affidavit that Judge Sequerah made a mistake and was wrong is using his discretion to reject his application, to obtain his passport back permanently.
He added that the decision is prejudice against his rights and responsibilities as an individuals who is in a leadership position of the country, because he has to apply officially in court every time he has to go abroad for work.
He also said that, as an individual who holds on the highest positions in the country, it is seen as impractical and complicated for him to apply to the court every time he wants to do an assignment abroad and vows to continue to give his full cooperation in solving the corruption case he is involved in.
Do stay tuned for more updates.
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