THE High Court had instructed former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to enter his defence on all 47 charges levelled against him ranging from corruption, criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money laundering.
In his verdict, Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah ruled that the prosecution team had established a prima facie case against the Bagan Datuk MP.
The hearing for the defence side is scheduled to begin on March 28.
With that, Sequerah said that Zahid can choose from three options on how to enter his defence; he can opt to give a sworn statement in the witness stand, give a statement from the dock or he can remain silent.
Hamidi Mohd Noh, who is serving as Zahid’s counsel, stated that the latter had chosen the first option, which is to give a sworn statement.
The UMNO president is facing a whopping 47 charges in court involving millions allegedly mismanaged at his own foundation Yayasan Akalbudi.
Zahid is also accused of accepting inducement from various projects while serving as home minister before the 2018 General Election.
Twelve of the charges involve CBT, eight for corruption and the rest for money laundering.
Ninety-nine witnesses had testified in the trial which started on Nov 18, 2019. – Jan 24, 2022.
Pic credit: The Edge Markets
