Former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today pleaded not guilty and claimed trial to seven charges of accepting bribe totalling S$4.24 million (RM12.8 million) from a company over the overseas visa (VLN) system.
Ahmad Zahid, 66, made the plea after all the charges were read to him before Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi.
He was accused of accepting the bribe from Syarikat Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd as an inducement for him as a public officer, that is as the Home Minister, to extend the company’s contract as the operator of the One Stop Centre (OSC) in China and the VLN system.
He is alleged to have committed the offence at Seri Satria, Precinct 16, Putrajaya, between March 28, 2017, and March 2, 2018.
The charge, under Section 16 (a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and punishable under Section 24 (1) of the same Act, carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and fine of RM10,000 or five times the amount of the bribe, whichever is higher, if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Mukhzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar offered bail of RM200,000 with one surety for all charges.
“Since the accused has been charged for other offences, his passport has already been surrendered to the court,” he said.
Lawyer Kitson Foong representing Ahmad Zahid had no objection and agreed to the bail offered by the prosecution.
The court allowed the accused bail of RM200,000 with one surety and set July 31 for remention of the case.
The Bagan Datok MP, who wore a dark coloured batik shirt, arrived at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex around 8.30am with his daughter Datuk Nurulhidayah and son-in-law Datuk Saiful Nizam Mohd Yusoff.
Several Umno seniors were present in the courtroom when Zahid entered, including former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the party’s Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam.
However, Najib left before proceedings began.
MACC chief Latheefa Koya and the commission’s deputy chief in charge of operations Datuk Seri Azam Baki were also present.
Zahid is now facing a total of 54 charges in court.
These include the seven new charges, 12 counts of criminal breach of trust amounting to RM21 million, eight graft charges involving RM21 million and 27 counts of money-laundering totalling up to RM72 million.
Zahid is expected to be charged with another 33 charges involving the same VLN scandal at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on Thursday (June 27).