Prosecution closes case after calling 99 witnesses.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court today was told that all 47 corruption, criminal breach of trust and money-laundering charges faced by Dr Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi involving millions in funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi were not politically motivated or meant to tarnish the reputation of the former deputy prime minister.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Khairudin Kilau, 44, said MACC’s recommendation to the Attorney-General’s Chambers to prosecute Zahid on all those charges was based on evidence obtained from witnesses and documents.
He said this during re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran on the 55th day of Zahid’s trial.
Zahid’s lead defence lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik suggested this while cross-examining Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigator Khairudin Kilau.
Khairudin was testifying as the 99th and final prosecution witness in Zahid’s trial, where the former deputy prime minister is facing 47 charges involving alleged criminal breach of trust of Zahid-linked charity Yayasan Akalbudi’s funds, alleged receiving of bribes and alleged money-laundering.
Hisyam suggested that all the 47 charges against Zahid had no basis in fact or in law, but Khairudin disagreed.
The MACC investigator also further disagreed when Hisyam sought to suggest that the criminal charges against Zahid were due to a change in government in Malaysia.
Hisyam: Agree or not when I say all 47 charges were initiated when there was a regime change?
Khairudin: Disagree.
Hisyam: Agree or not that all these charges were presented when Pakatan Harapan formed government.
Khairudin: Disagree.
Hisyam then sought to suggest that the charges against Zahid were politically-motivated but this was met with objection from deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Sazilee Abdul Khairi who said the question was “scandalous” as there was nothing political in the charges.
Khairudin also disagreed that Zahid was charged with the 47 charges because of his position as the Umno president.
Having worked with the MACC for around 20 years as an investigator since December 1999 after joining the organisation then known as the Anti-Corruption Agency, Khairudin agreed that this was the “first time” he had known of 47 charges being brought against a politician after a regime change.
Hisyam had asked: “In the 20 years, did you see or read from anywhere of a politician, after the government was changed, having been charged with 47 charges”, with Khairudin replying: “In my knowledge, no.”
Raja Rozela then asked Khairudin what was the basis of the charges recommended by him as an MACC investigator to the Attorney-General’s Chambers in Zahid’s case.
“My Lord, the recommendations of investigating officers in recommending for a case to be prosecuted is based on evidence through witnesses’ testimonies and documentary evidence, it’s not based on politics or other matters,” Khairudin said.
In this trial, Zahid is facing 47 charges, namely 12 counts of criminal breach of trust in relation to charitable foundation Yayasan Akalbudi’s funds, 27 counts of money laundering, and eight counts of bribery charges.
The prosecution today closed its case, after 53 days of court proceedings since the trial started on November 18, 2019.
The High Court then fixed June 28, 29, 30 and July 1 and 2 for both the prosecution and Zahid’s lawyers to present their submissions before a decision is made by the court on whether Zahid would have to enter his defence or can be released from the charges.
Earlier reports:
Mar 11, Zahid’s trial: Singaporean businessman asked to donate RM10m in first meeting with Zahid
Mar 9, Zahid’s trial: No receipts to show charity donated RM7.5 million
Mar 8, Zahid trial: RM17.9m withdrawn from Yayasan Akalbudi without board consent
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