Twelve politicians were granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) in 19 criminal cases between 2010 and July this year, Law and Institutional Reform Minister Azalina Othman Said said.
In a written parliamentary reply, Azalina said the figures were based on a review of criminal case records by the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court.
She added that the cases were heard in the High Court and lower courts nationwide.
Names and charges not disclosed
Azalina was responding to Pang Hok Liong (PH-Labis), who asked how many criminal cases involving politicians and high-profile leaders had resulted in DNAAs during the period, as well as the identities of those involved and the charges they faced.
However, Azalina did not disclose the names of the 12 politicians or details of the charges.
Instead, she referred the DAP MP to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), saying the information could be obtained directly from the agency, which holds the relevant prosecution records.
DNAA recipients can still face charges
Azalina said a DNAA did not prevent a person from being charged again with the same offence if the prosecution decided to proceed based on the facts, evidence and developments in the case.
“Criminal cases are not subject to a limitation period as civil cases are, so a person granted a DNAA can still be charged again with the same offence if the prosecution decides to do so based on the facts, evidence and developments in the case,” she said.
She added that MPs seeking further information about specific cases could refer their queries directly to the AGC.
Among the more prominent DNAA cases in recent years were the 47 Yayasan Akalbudi charges against Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in 2023 and the money laundering case involving former prime minister Najib Razak and SRC International Sdn Bhd in 2025.
