Prosecution closes Zahid Hamidi's case after 99 witnesses called

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution closed the case of Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is facing 47 charges involving millions of ringgit in funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi, in the High Court, here, today.

The trial against the former deputy prime minister, which involved 12 cases of breach of trust, eight bribery and 27 money laundering cases, lasted for 53 days with 99 prosecution witnesses.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran, who led the prosecution team, closed the case after re-examining the last witness, Khairudin Kilau.

Upon closing the case, the prosecution offered 37 witnesses to the defence if they are called to enter defence.

Among them are Ahmad Zahid's wife, Datuk Seri Hamidah Khamis, their daughter, Datuk Nurul Hidayah, Zahid's brother, Datuk Seri Mohamad Nasaee Ahmad Tarmizi and businessman, Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa.

Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah ordered the prosecution and defence to file their written submissions before May 28, 2021 and submit a counter-response on June 11.

The court also also fixed June 28 to 30 and July 1 and 2 for oral submissions before deciding whether Ahmad Zahid would be acquitted of the charges or ordered to defend himself.

On February 20, 2019, the UMNO president pleaded not guilty in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to 47 charges involving millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.

For the charges on breach of trust, Ahmad Zahid, 68, is charged with using the funds to make six payments on personally owned credit cards, vehicle insurance policies and a private motor licenses, remittances to a law firm and contributions to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) football association.

He is accused of committing the act at Affin Bank Berhad, Jalan Bunus branch, Off Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur, between 13 Jan 2014 and 23 Dec 2016.

The charge framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of between two and 20 years as well as whipping and also a fine, if convicted.

For eight corruption charges, the Member of Parliament for Bagan Datuk is alleged to have received bribes from three companies, namely Mastoro Kenny IT Consultant & Services, Data Sonic Group Berhad and Profound Radiance Sdn Bhd as an inducement for himself, a public officer as the Home Minister at the Home Ministry (KDN) to help the companies get the MyEG project.

It is to implement an additional supply of passport chips for five years or 12.5 million chips that will be included in the polycarbonate biodata page of the Malaysian Passport for the Malaysian Immigration Department, as a one -stop centre service operator in Pakistan and Nepal under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

He is accused of committing the act at the Maybank Dataran Maybank branch in Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, between July 15, 2016, and March 15, 2018, under Section 16 (a) (B) of the Malaysian Anti -Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and is punishable under Section 24 (1) of the same act.

If convicted, he faces a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Meanwhile, he is also facing 27 charges of money laundering by engaging in transactions directly, involving income from illegal activities between March 29, 2016 and April 11, 2018.

He is charged under Section 4 (1) (a) of the Anti -Money Laundering, Prevention of Financing of Terrorism and Proceeds from Illegal Activities Act 2001 which is punishable under Section 4 (1) of the same act which carries imprisonment for up to 15 years and a fine of not less than five times. the amount or value of the proceeds of illegal activities or RM5 million, whichever is higher if convicted.