Zahid's trial postponed as key witness on sick leave

The trial of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is facing charges of corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving millions of ringgit in funds from Yayasan Akalbudi, was today postponed to Friday (Aug 28) because the key witness is on sick leave.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Sazilee Abdul Khairi told High Court Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah that Major Mazlina Mazlan @ Ramly, who is Ahmad Zahid's former executive secretary, had been given sick leave today.

"We received a WhatsApp message from the witness Major Mazlina that she is on sick leave.

"We have handed over a photocopy of the medical leave (received via WhatsApp) to the court, with the promise that the original copy will be handed to the court on Friday… Hopefully, she will be around on Friday,” he said.

Today, which was supposed to be the 39th day of the trial, had been set for Mazlina to be questioned by the defence representing the former deputy prime minister.

Ahmad Zahid's lead defence lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik did not object to the postponement of the trial.

Yesterday, the 90th prosecution witness told the court that Ahmad Zahid had allowed his signature stamp to be used on Yayasan Akalbudi cheques to pay for his credit card bills in 2014.

Mazlina, 42, also said that Ahmad Zahid had instructed her not to use the cheques to pay for his credit card bills because the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had begun an investigation into the matter.

Ahmad Zahid, 67, is facing 47 charges, with 12 of them involving criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit in funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.

-- BERNAMA