Khairuddin, Chang acquitted

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Batu Kawan Umno vice-chairman Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan and lawyer Matthias Chang were yesterday acquitted in their state economic sabotage case.

In freeing them, Sessions Court judge Wan Mohd Norisham Wan Yaakob said he allowed the prosecution’s decision to withdraw the charge and also the defence application for a full acquittal.

“Yesterday, the prosecution said they were not pursuing the case in the interest of justice and fairness, and requested both the accused be given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal and gave no other reason.

“The defence submitted that a full acquittal should be given to the accused as without one, the prosecution could charge them later and it would be like having a dagger over their heads.”

He ordered the two’s bail money and passports be returned.