Ahmad Zahid is the 'boss', has dominion over YAB, court hears

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court was told today that Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was the 'boss', who had dominion over Yayasan Akalbudi's (YAB) properties.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran said the accused, who was YAB's trustee, had control of the foundation, and in his capacity as a trustee, he was entrusted with the dominion of the properties when he dishonestly misappropriated millions of ringgit from YAB funds.

She gave the example of how Ahamd Zahid could control YAB with the appointment of two new trustees of his choice, namely Muhammad Nabil Saleh and Datuk Khairuddin Tarmizi.

The two replaced Samsuri Tun and Prof Dr Zulkifli Senteri, who resigned from the Board Of Trustees on April 4, 2012.

"The vacated seats were promptly filled by two others who held positions in the Bagan Datuk UMNO Division, namely Muhammad Nabil Saleh and Datuk Khairuddin Tarmizi. (Ahmad Zahid is the Member of Parliament for Bagan Datuk).

"That at first glance, their appointment as trustees, might seem unremarkable. But if you take a closer look at their position, you will soon see one of them is, his personal aide.

"They may be trustees, they were trustees just like him (Ahmad Zahid), but a reality check here My Lord, he is still the boss. And it is not an exaggeration on my side that 'what the boss wants, the boss gets'," the DPP said in her submission at the end of the prosecution's case in Ahmad Zahid corruption trial.

Raja Rozela also said that on April 4, 2012, Ahmad Zahid was himself made the sole signatory for YAB's bank account.

"It was during his 'reign' that saw some 50 YAB cheques being issued and the withdrawal of funds from seven fixed deposit accounts. The accumulated sum was RM31,082,732.57," she said.

Raja Rozela further submitted the UMNO president also ought to have known that he was not legally entitled to use the property, be it for himself.

She said by making use of the funds for his own purpose knowing that he was not entitled to do so, the accused had acted with the dishonest intention of depriving YAB of its properties and to secure the funds for his own gain.

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 YAB.

The hearing of the submission before Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA