Zahid’s corruption trial to start July 8

KUALA LUMPUR: The trial of Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is facing 47 charges of corruption and money laundering involving millions of ringgit belonging to the Akalbudi Foundation, has been fixed for July 8 at the High Court.

High Court judge Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah fixed the date and set 18 days for the trial after the former deputy prime minister maintained his not guilty plea when the charges were read out to him at the High Court during the first mention of the case, here yesterday.

Justice Collin fixed the trial for July 8-11, July 15-17, Aug 5-8, Aug 19-22 and Sept 10-12.

The court also fixed May 9 for case management for submission of documents under Section 51A of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor, Raja Rozela Raja Toran informed that the prosecution had submitted more than 800 documents pertaining to the case to the defence team. Lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik represented Ahmad Zahid.

Raja Rozela also informed that the prosecution would call 20 witnesses to testify at the trial.

On Feb 21, the High Court allowed Ahmad Zahid’s application to transfer his case from the Sessions Court to the High Court as the prosecution did not object to the application.

On Oct 19 and Dec 14 last year, the Bagan Datuk Member of Parliament pleaded not guilty to a total of 46 charges, comprising 12 charges of CBT, eight charges of corruption and 27 charges of money laundering involving funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.

Ahmad Zahid, 66, had allegedly used the funds to make six payments for personal credit cards, insurance policy and licence for his personal vehicles, remittances to a law firm and contributions to the Royal Malaysia Police football association.

The offences under Section 409 of the Penal Code was allegedly committed at the same bank between Jan 13, 2014 and Jan 11, 2016.

Ahmad Zahid was also charged with eight counts of bribery, where he was alleged to have accepted bribes from three companies, namely Mastoro Kenny IT Consultant & Services, Data Sonic Group Bhd and Profound Radiance Sdn Bhd.

Ahmad Zahid, also faced 27 charges of money-laundering by engaging in direct transactions involving income from illegal activities between 2016 and 2018. - Bernama