KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's lawyers have requested the court for a longer time to prepare for his defence on all 47 charges involving millions of ringgit from his charity foundation Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB).
"We aren't able to meet the deadline that the defence starts on March 28.
"Can we suggest to my lord that the defence be given more time because we need to interview the witnesses... witness statements must be prepared," said his lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik.
"We will communicate with the prosecution when the witnesses will be made available to us for interviews," Hisyam said.
The judge and both parties are discussing trial dates. Ahmad Zahid has another corruption case happening at the Shah Alam High Court.
Earlier on Monday (Jan 24), Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah ordered Ahmad Zahid to enter his defence on all 47 charges.
Hisyam told the judge that the defence will be using some 20 witnesses despite being offered 37 witnesses.
"A minimum of 20 plus witnesses (for defence). That is only my estimate," he said.
The court also agreed to push the date for defence trial, which was initially scheduled in March, to begin on April 26.
Justice Sequerah then adjourned the proceedings.
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