ZAHID FACES 33 MORE CORRUPTION CHARGES
This makes it 87 charges, the highest number faced by leader from previous government
UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is now facing 87 corruption charges, including those involving his family-owned Yayasan Akalbudi and the overseas visa system (VLN).
Yesterday, Zahid was slapped with 33 corruption charges at the Sessions Court for allegedly receiving kickbacks from the VLN operator totalling RM42.76 million.
These were the latest charges against the former deputy prime minister, 66.
He previously faced 47 corruption charges between November and February involving money laundering, criminal breach of trust and graft.
These included 12 counts of criminal breach of trust amounting to RM21 million, eight graft charges involving RM21 million and 27 counts of money laundering totalling RM72 million. He claimed trial to all charges. At 87, it is the highest number of court charges faced by a leader from the previous government.
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is facing 42 corruption charges, while former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman has 51 corruption charges against him.
But despite having his hands full with court proceedings, Zahid’s counsel, Kitson Foong, said his client remained cheerful and positive as he was gearing up to prove his innocence.
“Of course someone will be stressed when facing 87 criminal charges within two years.
“However, my client is upbeat and remains positive as he cannot bear being convicted. He is strong.
“We will make the best defence
for him and we are ready for it (trials).”
Foong said the defence team was confident that the prosecution would be transparent.
He hoped all documents, including documents which needed to be declassified under the Official Secrets Act, would be served before the trial commenced.
As the former home minister, Zahid was believed to have received RM42.76 million in various currencies as inducement to maintain and extend the contract for Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd to manage a one-stop centre in China and VLN.
He allegedly committed the offence in Jalan Bayu Nyaman, Country Heights in Kajang between October 2014 and April 2017.
The Bagan Datuk member of parliament was charged under Section 16 (a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and Section 165 of the Penal Code.
If found guilty, he faces a maximum of 20 years’ jail and a fine of not less than five times the amount of bribe received.
Zahid, who wore a dark batik shirt, was in the dock when the charges were read to him.
After some time, his lawyer, Hamidi Mohd Noh, asked judge Rozilah Salleh whether his client
...my client is upbeat and remains positive as he cannot bear being convicted. He is strong. We will make the best defence for him and we are ready for it (trials). KITSON FOONG Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s counsel
could sit down as there were numerous charges.
Rozilah allowed Hamidi’s request and the court translator, who continued reading the charges, took almost 30 minutes to read all of it.
The courtroom was packed with MACC officers, journalists, Umno supporters and Zahid’s family members, including his daughter, Datuk Nurulhidayah, who sat in the front row of the public gallery.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Mukhzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar initially asked the court to set bail at RM1 million in one surety.
However, Foong argued that the court should impose a reasonable amount.
The court set bail at RM500,000 in one surety and fixed July 29 for mention.
On Wednesday, Zahid claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to seven counts of graft totalling S$4.24 million (RM12.99 million) relating to VLN.