‘Donations to trustee account not illegal’

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution had erred in concluding that the entry of donations into the trustee account of Yayasan Akalbudi, a foundation owned by former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, involved illegal activities, the High Court heard yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid’s lead counsel, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, said money changer Omar Ali Abdullah, the 81st prosecution witness, did not commit any banking offences in converting cash amounting to RM5 million into a few cheques, before handing them to law firm Messrs Lewis & Co.

Hisyam contended that the evidence by Omar Ali, that the monies came from Yayasan Akalbudi, was never investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

“It is quite clear that Omar Ali did not commit any banking offences under banking laws.

In the course of submissions, the prosecution made number of misconceptions.

“There is no direct evidence on where the money came from. Misconception must apply to no investigations,” he said in his submission-in-reply at the end of the prosecution’s case against Ahmad Zahid, who is facing 47 charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT), corruption and money laundering involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.

Hisyam added that the prosecution’s action, which was based on the provisions of Section 4(3) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, and in concluding that there were illegal and wrongful activities in law, also had no basis.

According to the 27th money-laundering charge, Ahmad Zahid is alleged to have ordered the money changer to convert RM7,511,250.20 in cash into 35 cheques to be deposited into the account of

Yayasan Akalbudi.

Meanwhile, Hisyam said the prosecution also agreed on the contribution by MyEG Services Sdn Bhd non-executive director Datuk Mohd Jimmy Wong Abdullah, the 78th prosecution witness, to the foundation.

In his testimony, Wong said he donated more than RM9 million to Yayasan Akalbudi on his own volition for welfare and religious purposes and it had nothing to do with his company, MyEG Services.

Hisyam said since the prosecution failed to show that the money laundering process took place as an element in the charge, the case against his client could not be defended.

Ahmad Zahid, 68, is facing 47 charges – 12 for CBT, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering, involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.

Hearing before Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues on Dec 6. – Bernama