Zahid’s trial delayed as lawyers test positive for Covid-19

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has postponed the corruption trial of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi involving the misappropriation of Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB) funds to Aug 22 as two of the defence lawyers have tested positive for Covid-19.

Lawyer Aiman Abdul Rahman, who is part of the defence team for Ahmad Zahid, informed Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah that lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik and co-counsel Hamidi Mohd Noh were down with Covid-19.

“Our team sent a letter to the court on Aug 2 and Aug 3 to inform them of the situation on Hisyam and Hamidi.

“We ask for the trial date today (Friday) to be converted to a mention and for the next trial date to be on Aug 22,” he said.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob did not object to the application.

Justice Sequerah then allowed for yesterday’s trial date to be vacated and pushed to Aug 22.

Ahmad Zahid was present at the proceedings here yesterday.

The Umno president is scheduled to undergo cross-examination by the prosecution when the trial resumes.

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