Ahmad Zahid's trial: Converting RM7.5 mln into cheques was money laundering - Witness

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Mohd Fahmee Mohamad Nor, 39, said this was based on his investigation into the entire case involving the former deputy prime minister.

The 95th prosecution witness said on the 49th day of the trial of Ahmad Zahid, who is facing corruption, abuse of power and money laundering charges involving millions of ringgit in funds from Yayasan Akalbudi.

"Omar Ali only said that the individuals were neatly dressed and the money was given on Ahmad Zahid's instruction," he said.

Yesterday, Mohd Fahmee told the court that Omar Ali had received a large amount of money from unknown individuals around his company Syarikat Marhaba Enterprise Sdn Bhd premises.

Asked whether the investigation found that the money was a donation from charity foundation Yayasan Albukhary, Mohd Fahmee replied "No, and investigation did not found any receipt showing that the money was a donation from the foundation."

"Yayasan Al Bukhary is a big foundation, but I did not conduct an in-depth investigation on it. I did not look at Yayasan Albukhary's accounts and did not record a statement from Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary.

"I decided not to conduct a detailed investigation because Omar Ali did not know the individuals who gave him the money," he said.

On whether he had been contacted by anyone from Yayasan Al Bukhary after Omar Ali testified in Ahmad Zahid's trial, Mohd Fahmee replied "No".

Earlier, when asked by lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Zainal who is representing Ahmad Zahid, whether he knew that Omar Ali had testified in court that the money was a donation from Yayasan Al Bukhary, Mohd Fahmee did not answer the question.

Ahmad Zahid, 68, is facing 47 charges, 12 of which were for criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving millions of ringgit of Yayasan Akalbudi funds.

The trial continues before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.