The prosecution in Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s criminal breach of trust (CBT) and corruption trial has applied to the High Court to cite him for contempt for allegedly making a false statement.
Earlier today, Zahid’s lawyer, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, applied for the proceedings to be adjourned until tomorrow as he said Zahid was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin over Cabinet appointments.
However, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) later denied that political leaders were scheduled to attend a meeting to discuss the matter.
It said Muhyiddin was only meeting the chief secretary to the Government and heads of government agencies to coordinate the smooth running of the government.
“The Prime Minister’s Office wishes to clarify that there is no meeting of political leaders scheduled today,” the statement added.
Deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran, who made the application, said the prosecution found out that there was no such meeting.
“He intentionally lied to give him a day off. I would like to move this court for contempt.
“I humbly seek and apply your Lordship to use the discretion under Order 52 rule 2A of the Rules of Court. What he did is unacceptable. He made us look like fools,” she said.
However, Zahid, who was made to appear again at the Kuala Lumpur High Court this afternoon to explain himself, said he received a letter from PMO inviting him to discuss cabinet appointments.
He said he instead met Muhyiddin’s political secretary, who was unnamed, at 12.45pm today as the prime minister had already departed for Muar, Johor by then.
“I have my minutes (of the meeting with the political secretary) and here is a list of BN (Barisan Nasional) MPs that are to be submitted as candidates (for ministerial positions),” Zahid said as he stood in the accused dock.
“Normally a political party has to negotiate for positions in the cabinet line-up, but I would not like to share them with the reporters here as it is not for public consumption.
“This is P&C (private and confidential). These are (regarding) the discussions that have taken place in PMO,” he added.
Presiding judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah then said he will decide on a ruling tomorrow after receiving the said PMO letter, which was not produced in court this afternoon.
“In light of the letter to be produced, I will suspend my decision,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Youth wing has demanded for Muhyiddin to state his stand on Zahid’s claim that his court cases are politically-motivated.
In a statement, the wing said it wants Muhyiddin to state whether he agrees that the charges were made selectively.
“We wish to demand the president’s stand and explanation on Zahid’s statement today.
“In his statement, he said that charges against him were politically-motivated and selective,” the statement said.
“Didn’t the grassroots work hard to ensure that Zahid’s misconduct be brought to face the courts based on the principles of transparency and greater good)?” it asked.
Earlier today, Zahid alleged that the charges he is facing are politically-motivated but insisted that he will clear his name in court.
Earlier report: Mar 2, PMO Says No Meeting, Contradicts Zahid’s Excuse to Postpone Trial