The High Court heard today Ahmad Zahid Hamidi knew that funds from Yayasan Akalbudi were being used to pay for his personal credit card bills.
Mazlina Mazlan @ Ramly, who held the rank of major and was the former deputy prime minister’s executive secretary, said Zahid instructed her to use Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques to settle his card payments.
The prosecution’s 90th witness, who was re-examined by deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran, said Zahid had also authorised her to use a stamp bearing a replica of his signature for the cheques.
Mazlina said Zahid would also check credit card and bank statements of Yayasan Akalbudi before he authorised payment to be made.
Raja Rozela: The defence under cross-examination put it to you that the cheques were pre-signed. Is that true?
Mazlina: I disagree.
Raja Rozela: Why do you say so?
Mazlina: All cheques were signed by the accused in my presence. The payment for the credit card bills were made on his instruction.
Raja Rozela: Did you see him sign the cheques?
Mazlina: Yes, I witnessed it.
Raja Rozela: The defence said the accused did not use Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques to settle his credit bill. You replied in the negative. Why?
Mazlina: Zahid authorised me to use Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques.
Raja Rozela: Are you sure the accused asked you to use Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques to make payments?
Mazlina: Yes.
Raja Rozela: The defence also suggested to you that the accused did not allow you to use a stamp carrying a replica of his signature on Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques. Can you explain why you said “no”.
Mazlina: He gave me permission. At no time did he withdraw that approval.
Raja Rozela: The defence put it to you that you hid the credit card and bank statements from the accused. Why?
Mazlina: That is not correct. Every time I (used) Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques, I will accompany it with the statements.
During examination-in-chief two months ago, Mazlina had said Zahid gave her permission to use the stamp for the cheques.
Mazlina, who worked for Zahid from December 2011 to May 2018, said the stamp was used when Zahid was out of his office, attending meetings or overseas.
The witness said she used the stamp to sign the cheques as she was worried the bank would block the transactions of Zahid and his wife, Hamidah Khamis, especially when they were overseas.
She said she only used Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques to make the credit card payments and not Zahid’s personal cheques as there was no directive from him.
Zahid is facing 12 charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT), eight of corruption and 27 of money laundering involving RM117 million belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
The hearing before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues. – FMT
Earlier reports:
Aug 28, Zahid’s Trial: Witness Admits Negligence in Handling Zahid’s Cheques
Aug 25, Zahid’s Trial Allowed Use of Signature Stamp on Yayasan Akalbudi Cheques
Aug 24, Zahid’s Trial: Lewis & Cp Never Appointed as Yayasan Al-Falah Trustee
Aug 14, Zahid’s Trial: Lewis & Co Never Appointed as Yayasan Al-Falah Trustee
Aug 12, Zahid’s Trial: 92 Cheques Worth RM76M from Zahid to Law Firm
Aug 11, Zahid’s Trial: Legal Firm Not Trustee of Yayasan Akalbudi
Aug 10, Zahid Pleads Not Guilty to Amended Charges in Graft Trial
Jul 30, Zahid’s Trial: Law Firm Placed RM66.6M in Fixed Deposits, Yayasan Akalbudi Not a Client
Jul 29, Zahid’s Trial: Moneychanger Omar Ali Insists Zahid Ordered Millions in Cash Converted into Cheques
Jul 28, Zahid’s Trial: Zahid’s Daughter Said Father Had Funds for Her Takeover of Company’s Share
Jul 27, Zahid’s Trial: Businessman Donated RM6.6M to Yayasan Akalbudi to Secure Project
Jul 14, Zahid’s Trial: MyEG Director Gave RM9M to Zahid’s Foundation
Jul 3, Zahid’s Trial: More than RM1 Million in Cheques Issued to Yayasan Akalbudi Trustee
Jun 18, Zahid’s Trial: Contractor Says Zahid Paid Him RM1.4M Cash, No Records
Jun 17, Zahid’s Trial: After RM1.3M Blank Cheque Revelations, Witnesses Put Blame on Omar Ali
Jun 17, Zahid’s Trial: Wife Signed Blank Cheque Book for Moneychanger Husband’s Use
Jun 17, Zahid’s Trial: Contractor Tells Court of Dealings with Zahid’s Proxy
Jun 17, Zahid’s Trial: Brother Cited Zahid as Having Paid RM5.9M for Country Heights Bungalows
Jun 16, Zahid’s Trial Brother Bought 2 Properties Worth RM5.9M Using Foundation Money
Jun 15, Zahid’s Trial: RM25M Banked into Proxy’s Account
Mar 6, Zahid’s Trial: Cheques Issued Meant for Moneychanger Ended up in Proxy Account
Mar 3, Zahid’s Trial: RM99M Worth of Cheques Went into Foundation’s Trustee Account
Feb 20, Zahid’s Trial: Businessman Insists RM2 Million Donations to Zahid, Not Bribery for Contracts
Feb 19, Zahid’s Trial: Alleged RM6M Political Donation
Feb 15, Zahid’s Trial: Zahid Directed That Datasonics Passport Chips to Be Used
Feb 13, Zahid’s Trial: Under-Performing Firm Allowed to Resupply Passport Chips
Feb 12, Zahid’s Trial: Foundation Never Audited Its Accounts or Filed Financial Reports with SSM
Feb 11, Zahid’s Trial: Former DPM Signed 51 Foundation Cheques Worth RM31M
Dec 13, Zahid’s Trial: Earned RM44,383 a Month as DPM
Dec 12, Zahid’s Trial: RM360K All Went Towards Voter Registration, Not to Print Quran
Dec 10, Zahid’s Trial: Firm Received RM360K from Zahid’s Charity Body for Voter Registration
Dec 10, Zahid’s Trial: Insurance, Road Tax for His 20 Vehicles Paid with Foundation Funds
Dec 5, Zahid’s Trial: 39 Insurance Policies Totalling RM72K for 20 Vehicles
Dec 3, Zahid’s Trial: Couple Owns 18 Luxury Vehicles
Dec 2, Zahid’s Trial: Wife’s Credit Cards Used for LV, Harrods, Armani, RM250K Spending Limit
Nov 21, Zahid’s Trial: Day Four
Nov 21, Zahid’s Trial: Day Three
Nov 20, Schoomate: I Signed Blank Cheques on Zahid’s Order,
Nov 19, Zahid’s Trial: Day Two
Nov 18, Zahid Embezzled RM31M Meant for the Poor
