Ahmad Zahid’s trial adjourned as his lawyer complains of gout pain

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court had to adjourn the corruption trial involving Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as one of his lawyers complained of pain due to gout.

The proceedings lasted for about 30 minutes after lawyer Hamidi Mohd Noh, who is representing the former deputy prime minister, told the court that his ankle was swollen.

Despite the pain, Hamidi said he was ready to continue his submissions at the end of the prosecution’s case here yesterday.

“I wasn’t expecting to endure this. I’m in a lot of pain and I have an appointment with a doctor at 1.30pm,” he said.

Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah then told Hamidi to begin his submissions and to tell the court if he becomes uncomfortable.

After 20 minutes of submitting while standing up, Hamidi asked the court for him to be allowed to sit and rest due to the pain.

As the submissions continued, Hamidi then asked for the proceedings to be adjourned as he could not stand the pain despite being allowed to sit while submitting.

“I cannot continue my submissions at this point. I ask for the case to be adjourned. I am in pain and I cannot speak,” he added.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran did not object to an adjournment.

“I think we should let him get treatment,” she said.

Justice Sequerah allowed the adjournment and fixed for the trial to resume tomorrow.

Ahmad Zahid is facing 47 charges – 12 for criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering – involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.