Zahid unwell, corruption trial postponed to Feb 3


SHAH ALAM: The trial of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is facing 40 corruption charges in connection with the Foreign Visa System (VLN), scheduled for Thursday (Dec 23) and Friday (Dec 24) has been vacated as the former deputy prime minister was unwell.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran told reporters that High Court Judge Mohd Yazid Mustafa made the decision in chambers today following a request by the defence.

She said the trial was then set to resume on Feb 3, 2022.

Other dates set for the trial are March 7 and 8, April 10 to 13, May 17 to 20, May 30 and 31, and June 13 to 16.

The court also set July 25 to 29 for oral and written submissions, and Aug 24 for decision.

So far, five prosecution witnesses had testified, while former Home Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Alwi Ibrahim, 62, is still under cross-examination.

Ahmad Zahid is charged with 33 counts of receiving bribes amounting to SGD13.56mil from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd as an inducement for himself in his capacity as a civil servant, then as Home Minister, to extend the contract of the company as the operator of a One-Stop Centre (OSC) service in China and the VLN system, as well as to maintain the contract to supply the VLN integrated system paraphernalia to the same company by the Home Ministry.

On seven other charges, Ahmad Zahid was charged, in his capacity as Home Minister then, for accepting SGD1,150,000, RM3,000,000, 15,000 euro and USD15,000 without consideration from the same company which he knew had a connection with his official function. - Bernama

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Nation

Govt had rescued Utusan Malaysia, Kosmo! before, says PM
Use VSP app for peace of mind during Deepavali, Johor police chief says
Sungai Buloh floods: 306 victims housed at three PPS
Sarawak polls: PBB gives Abang Jo mandate to decide on candidates
Google’s US$15bil investment to fuel Malaysia’s digital push, says Anwar
Woman nabbed for allegedly bribing cop to help friend in detention
Melaka polls: PH Ayer Limau candidate moots sterilising monkeys, boars to curb crop damage
Melaka polls: Face-to-face still the best to reach voters, says Kesidang incumbent
Parents must nurture reading culture, says Fadhlina
Google to invest US15bil in Malaysia over next two years

Air Pollutant Index

Note: API is calculated based on 24hr running average of the most dominant parameter.

Highest API Readings

    Select State and Location to view the latest API reading

    Others Also Read