Zahid's corruption trial resumes in

June

By Khairah N. Karim - May 19, 2020 @ 10:53am

Afte
r a two-month break, the trial of former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is facing 47 charges
involving millions of ringgit of Yayasan Akalbudi funds, will resume on June 15. – Bernama pic

KUALA LUMPUR: After a two-month break, the trial of former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid
Hamidi, who is facing 47 charges involving millions of ringgit of Yayasan Akalbudi funds, will resume on June 15.

The trial before High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah had its last proceedings on March 6 before it was
postponed after the Movement Control Order (MCO) was enforced.

During today's proceedings, the court fixed 30 days for trial from June 15 to 18, July 2 and 3, July 13 to 14, July
27 to 30, Aug 10 to 14, Aug 24 to 28, Sept 21 to 25 and Sept 28 to 30.

Deputy public prosecutor Lee Keng Fatt said more than 50 prosecution witnesses will be called to testify.
"The witnesses include bankers to verify the cheques (involved in the case) in court," he said.

He added that the 30-day trial was sufficient to conclude the prosecution's case.

Meanwhile, Zahid's main counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik applied for two of his assistants to be present in court to
help out during the trial.

"We will make sure we always maintain our distance. We need them in court to help take notes in the trial," he
said.

Lee had also asked for the same saying that the prosecution needed extra hands during trial.

Sequerah however allowed only one more person to be present for each side.

Following the standard operating procedure (SOP) it was understood that the court only allowed three
representatives for each sides.

On Oct 19 and Dec 14, 2018 and Fec 20, last year, Zahid pleaded not guilty to a total of 47 charges, 12 of which
are for criminal breach of trust (CBT), eight for bribery and 27 for money-laundering involving tens of millions of
ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.