Zahid apologises, court says no case for contempt

UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was let off with a warning by the court after apologising about the alleged meeting with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin which led to his graft trial to be postponed, on Monday.

Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah said he did not find a case for contempt and accepted Zahid's explanation that it was a miscommunication in the use of sentence when submitting for postponement of trial.

“After hearing from the defense counsel and considering the application from the prosecutor, I agree that there may be misunderstandings between the instructions given by the accused and the defense attorney.

"I also take into account the apology from the accused. And what is more important is that the defense lawyer's promise that this will never happen again. I see no case to initiate contempt proceedings.

“As a general statement and warning, the court wants to make it clear that the court will not compromise the attempt to mislead. If there is information about attempts to mislead or insult, this court will not hesitate to impose a fine or jail sentence, ” he said.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid had failed to submit a letter he claimed to have received from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), arguing that no official appointment had been made for the position og Prime Minister's Political Secretary.

“I openly apologize for the confusion and misunderstanding, and I do not intend to 'mislead' this court. I have great respect for the Lord and I respect this court.

“I also want to explain the about letter; I have been in contact with the political secretary. But the letter could not be issued because there has been no official appointment to the officer, and no oath has been taken,” Zahid said.

Yesterday, Ahmad Zahid's hearing was adjourned after his lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik informed that his client had to attend a meeting on Cabinet formation with Muhyiddin.

However, the PMO issued a statement that no meetings were scheduled with political leaders and the court called on both sides at 4pm

Ahmad Zahid, 67. currently faces 47 charges, 12 of which involve breach of trust, eight bribes and 27 money laundering involving tens of millions of dollars of funds owned by the Akalbudi Foundation.

The trial before Justice Sequerah is ongoing.