What legal grounds were cited for the acquittal in the bungalow case?

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Legal Grounds Cited for Acquittal in Bungalow Case

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and businesswoman Phang Li Koon were fully acquitted of corruption charges related to a bungalow purchase by the High Court, with the judge rejecting the prosecution's request for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA). The judge, Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail, stated that charges should not indefinitely burden an accused and that criminal cases require finality. This decision was made after considering the considerable time the case had already taken and the fact that the prosecution had presented 25 witnesses during the trial.
Judge's Disagreement with DNAA Request

Justice Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail explicitly stated her disagreement with the prosecution's proposal for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA). She articulated that legal proceedings should not be conducted in an "instalment basis" and that a definitive conclusion, rather than a suspended state, is necessary, particularly in criminal matters. The judge emphasised the principle that criminal cases must reach a point of finality, implying that a perpetual threat of retrial for the same charges is contrary to legal justice.
Consideration of Case Duration and Witness Testimony

A significant factor influencing the judge's decision was the protracted duration of the legal process. The court noted that the trial had commenced in March, and by September, the prosecution was requesting a DNAA. The judge pointed out that the prosecution had already called 25 witnesses to testify, indicating substantial progress in presenting its case. This extensive presentation of evidence, coupled with the passage of time, led the judge to order a full discharge and acquittal for both Lim Guan Eng and Phang Li Koon.
Principle of Finality in Criminal Proceedings

The judge's ruling underscored the importance of finality in criminal justice. By rejecting the prosecution's bid for a DNAA, which would have allowed the charges to be refiled later, the court asserted that individuals should not remain under the indefinite cloud of potential prosecution. The judge's remarks, such as "There must be a stop, no coma, especially in criminal cases," highlight a judicial stance favouring definitive resolutions and preventing the protracted uncertainty that a DNAA could perpetuate for the accused.

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What legal grounds were cited for the acquittal in the bungalow case?

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