Malaysia - September 2023

Prosecutors dropped all 47 corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister and United Malays National Organization (UMNO) head Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on 4 September. Ahmad Zahid was the target of widespread public dissatisfaction over corruption scandals that led to the UMNO being voted out of government for the first time in Malaysian history in 2018, and the announcement was met with public protests and questions about the government’s commitment to anti-corruption reforms. The UMNO is the largest junior partner in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling coalition. The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDI) announced it would leave the ruling coalition in protest of the decision, which might cause the coalition to lose the supermajority it needs to pass constitutional amendments and other major reforms.

Sources: Nikkei Asia, Reuters, Malay Mail