The Kuala Lumpur High Court today was told that former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi signed 51 cheques, including a banker’s cheque, totalling RM31 million in funds belonging to charity Yayasan Akalbudi to make several payments, including for his expenses.
S Rajen Taran, 40, the manager of Affin Bank’s Jalan Bunus branch, said the cheques were for payments that included AmIslamic Bank and Maybank credit card bills amounting to RM1,300,630.82 and RM61,406.99, as well as for insurance and road tax payments amounting to RM107,509.55 for vehicles belonging to Zahid.
The manager, who was the prosecution’s 27th witness, said this during the 13th day of the corruption trial of Zahid over millions of funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
“The cheques were also used to make payments of RM1.3 million to Persatuan Bola Sepak Polis Diraja Malaysia (Football Association of the Royal Malaysian Police) for management costs in November 2015, and RM360,000 to TS Consultancy & Resources for work related to the registration of voters.
“Zahid also issued a cheque for RM10 million as a loan to coal importer and supplier Armada Holdings Sdn Bhd, as well as a banker’s cheque for RM17,953,185.21 to Messrs Lewis & Co, the trustee of Yayasan Akalbudi”, said the witness during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Lee Keng Fatt.
Previously, Ahmad Izhan Abd Rashid, 40, the prosecution’s 14th witness and an insurance agent with Allianz General Insurance, had informed the court that Zahid had paid RM107,509.55 as payment for insurance and road tax for 20 vehicles he owned.
On December 11, Wasi Khan @ Wasiyu Zama Israr, 50, the prosecution’s 21st witness and the chief executive officer of Armada Holdings Sdn Bhd, told the court that his office had received funds totalling RM10 million from Zahid.
Zahid, 67, faces 47 charges comprising criminal breach of trust, bribery and money laundering involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds totalling millions of ringgit.
Hearing before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues tomorrow.
Earlier reports:
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