Apart from misappropriation of a foundation’s fund, Zahid also claimed trial to additional charges made in his capacity as the former home minister under the Barisan Nasional administration.
- 8 charges for abuse of power, 10 for criminal breach of trust, 27 for money laundering.
- Charges include receiving millions for helping a company to get a MyEG project and another company to supply chips for Malaysian passports
- Charges also for receiving money to appoint one-stop centres for the processing of migrant worker visas
- Money laundering charges involve Zahid purchasing two bungalows for RM5.9 million and putting RM6.89 million in fixed deposits
- RM2 million bail
- Najib’s surprise arrival to show support
- Zahid arriving in court in orange…batik shirt
- Dressed in red, some 200 supporters gather outside court
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi claimed trial today to 45 charges, including the alleged misuse and money laundering of millions of ringgit in funds said to belong to a charity foundation.
The visibly tired former deputy prime minister who stood in the dock before Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi pleaded not guilty to each charge of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering under the Penal Code, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, and Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA) respectively, as they were read out to him.
It took 55 minutes for the bailiff to complete reading out the charge sheet.
The charges were read out at 9.20am and ended only at 10.15am.
In court, Zahid stood facing the judge, sometimes looking at her, sometimes looking down.
Hands behind his back, he nodded his head as the charges were read out.
The prosecution asked for RM2 million bail to be paid by the accused today and for the court to confiscate Ahmad Zahid’s passport.
However, the defence asked for bail to be paid in two instalments amounting to RM1 million each.
The judge finally ruled for the first RM1 million to be paid by today and the remainder to be paid by October 26.
She also ordered Ahmad Zahid to surrender his passport to the court.
Justice Azura also set Dec 14 as the next date of mention.
The prosecution team is led by former Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram, DPP Ahmad Akram Gharib from the MACC, DPPs Mohamad Mustaffa P Kunyalam and Nadia Mohd Izhar from the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Defence lawyers are Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Kitson Foong and 10 others.
Teh also informed the court that they would apply to transfer Zahid’s case to the High Court next week. Sri Ram did not object, adding that there should be a joint trial for all the charges.
Of the 45 charges against Zahid, eight are for abuse of power, 10 for criminal breach of trust and 27 for money laundering.
The first charge involves a sum of RM537,513 from Yayasan Akal Budi, the second charge is over RM38,000, while the third charge involves a sum of RM107,509.
Some of the other charges include:
The 11th charge where Zahid allegedly received RM250,000 in his capacity as home minister to help a consulting company get a MyEG project.
The 12th charge is for receiving 13 cheques totalling RM8 million to help a company get a MyEG project.
The 13th charge is for receiving 10 cheques worth RM5 million to help a company to secure a MyEG project.
The 14th charge is for receiving as Home Minister an RM5 million cheque from a Data Sonic Group Berhad director for the company to supply 12.5 million chips for Malaysian passports.
The 15th charge is for receiving another cheque of RM1 million from a Data Sonic director, again in relation to the Malaysian passport chips.
The 16th charge is for receiving an RM300,000 cheque to appoint a company as the operator of a one-stop centre in Pakistan and Nepal for the Home Ministry. This is believed to be in reference to the one-stop centres for the processing of migrant worker visas.
The 17th and 18th charges are also in relation to the one-stop centres, and Zahid is accused of receiving cheques worth RM1 million and RM700,000 from the same company, Profound Radiance Sdn Bhd.
The 26th money laundering charge involves Zahid purchasing two bungalows in Hulu Langat, Selangor for RM5.9 million.
The 27th and final money laundering charge is over Zahid putting RM6.89 million in fixed deposits.
Earlier, Zahid left the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at 7.36am for the Jalan Duta Courts Complex in Kuala Lumpur after spending a night in the MACC lock-up.
The Opposition leader arrived in a black Toyota Vellfire under escort from police outriders at 8.18am.
Wearing an orange batik shirt, he was greeted by a group of about 200 Umno supporters who had gathered outside the court compound since 7am.
Clad in red shirts and T-shirts, the supporters were heard singing and seen carrying banners.
The entrance to the courts complex was guarded by heavy police presence, which included a team from the Light Strike Force unit.
Zahid’s wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis, daughter Datuk Nurul Hidayah and son were also present.
At 9.15am, former prime minister Najib Razak made a brief appearance at the Sessions Court, arriving in a white Toyota Vellfire, to show support for his former deputy.
Clad in a purple batik shirt, Najib walked into the courtroom just in time before the charges were read out and took a seat in the front row.
He was seen leaving the courtroom at 9.45am while the charges were being read out.
He joined other prominent Umno members, including Supreme Council members Ahmad Maslan and Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, deputy president Mohamad Hassan and vice-president Khaled Nordin.
Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa, vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Wanita chief Noraini Ahmad were also seen.
MACC deputy commissioner (operations) Azam Baki is among those in the public gallery.
Speaking to reporters, Najib said his presence this morning was to “give moral support to an old friend”.
Meanwhile, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hassan said Zahid might have to go on leave from his party duties after being charged with corruption and money-laundering offences today.
He told reporters that Umno had set a standard operating procedure (SOP) in 2009 which requires its high-ranking leaders to go on leave when they face criminal charges in court.
“It (the practice) used to be to suspend leaders who are facing charges, but the new SOP requires those being charged to take leave.
“However, if they are later found not guilty, the leaders can resume their position,” he said today.
He added that the SOP was made with the aim of protecting Umno from being accused or associated with any wrongdoings.
Mohamad, better known as Tok Mat among Umno members, said the matter, however, will be discussed by the party’s management committee.
Results from the meeting, he added, would then be brought to Umno supreme council for decision.
Mohamad also called on Umno members to stay calm in the face of the new development, and that pressures being mounted on Umno today would not weaken but only strengthen their spirit to continue Umno’s struggle.
Zahid, who was elected as Umno president in June, is the first sitting Umno president to be hauled to court to face criminal charges.
Earlier reports:
Oct 18, Zahid to Face at Least 35 Charges Involving RM7M
Oct 18, MACC Arrests Zahid for CBT, Money Laundering