Major Zaidi sacked over indelible ink issue

Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) senior officer Major Zaidi Ahmad was today sacked from service after the Military Court found him guilty of breaching military procedures for making media statements on the ineffectiveness of indelible ink used in the 2013 general election.

The decision was made by Presiding officer Colonel Saadon Hasnan, who chaired the five-member panel comprising Lieutenant Colonel Zainurin Mohd Dom, Major Khuzairi Mohd Arshad, Major Khairul Nizam Taib dan Major S. Nadzeer Salehuddin.

In passing the decision, Saadon said the sentence was not because of the ‎issues Zaidi had raised regarding the indelible ink -- that it was found to have washed off after application.

Earlier, Zaidi told the court "See you in Allah's court," when the panel allowed him to produce a witness to support his appeal for a lighter sentence and gave him time to address the military panel.

It was reported that Zaidi, who was talking non-stop, had to be forced to stop talking by the court, prompting him to say those words.

On Feb 7 last year, Zaidi, from RMAF's Butterworth air base, pleaded not guilty to four counts of violating the Malaysian Armed Forces Council's orders on the use of the indelible ink during GE13.

He also pleaded not guilty to three other charges -- making a statement without the Defence Ministry's authorisation and sending two text messages (SMS), which were political in nature.

He allegedly committed the offences at the Kepala Batas Police District Headquarters and Taman Bertam Indah in Penang, between May 1 and May 3, 2013.

On Oct 27 last year, the panel ordered Zaidi to enter his defence to the two charges -- making a media statement over the indelible ink, and leaking his letter of transfer to the press without the approval of the Armed Forces Council.

It however acquitted him of the five other charges as it found the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against Zaidi.

Eight prosecution witnesses were called to testify during the trial while defendant Zaidi chose to remain silent and did not call any witness.