**_KUALA LUMPUR_** – Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi scored a fresh legal victory on **_Dec 12_** as prosecutors dropped their challenge against his graft acquittal, a development that risks eroding public trust in **_Mr_** Anwar Ibrahim’s government.
Prosecutors withdrew their appeal at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya, following representations **_Mr_** Zahid had made to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
**_Mr_** Zahid [was charged in 2019 with receiving bribes](https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-dpm-zahid-expected-to-be-discharged-in-graft-case) from a local firm in exchange for extending its contract as a service provider for Malaysia’s one-stop service cent**_re_** in China and foreign visa system.
A high court acquitted him in September 2022 after ruling that prosecutors failed to establish sufficient evidence against him.
The decision is poised to add to the growing disillusionment toward Prime Minister Anwar, who rose to power in 2022 promising reforms and an end to corruption.
**_Mr_** Zahid, a crucial ally to **_Mr_** Anwar, was already discharged mid-trial last year from 47 graft charges in a separate case involving a trust fund, courting backlash against the government.
**_Mr_** Zahid leads the scandal-tainted United Malays National Organisation that **_Mr_** Anwar counts on to stay in power. **_BLOOMBERG_**
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