I never ordered anyone to use YAB funds for personal matters - Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told the High Court here today that he had never instructed anyone to use Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB) funds for his personal matters.

According to Ahmad Zahid, 69, he was the one footing the bill for all YAB expenses since its establishment in 1997.

"In the early stages of its establishment (of the foundation), most of the funds of the YAB were from my contributions, my salary and savings including profits from the purchase and sale of shares for being active in the corporate world.

"This is to ensure that Yayasan Akalbudi can carry out charity programmes and provide assistance as well as contributions to individuals or parties in need and also in the construction of mosques, maahad and so on," said Ahmad Zahid, who is one of the trustees of YAB from 1997 until now.

He said this when reading his witness statement on the first day of the defence proceedings on 47 criminal breach of trust (CBT), corruption and money laundering charges involving YAB funds.