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KUALA LUMPUR – While being cross-examined by the prosecution today, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi maintained that he is a victim of selective prosecution and charges against him were a result of a political vendetta.
Zahid was questioned by lead prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran over those claims but the politician did not divulge details to support them.
“It did not happen on the surface of it... but I know what happened behind the scenes. As I said yesterday, that is what happened to me,” Zahid was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.
He did agree with Raja Rozela that the rule of law applies equally to all.
Meanwhile, on money politics, Zahid said a politician needs money for activities but disagreed that corruption is becoming rampant in the country.
“Money is not everything, but everything needs money.”
When asked if one should “go all out to fight against corruption”, the Umno man said “corruption must be eradicated”.
Today marks the first day of Zahid’s cross-examination in his trial involving the alleged misappropriation of Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB) funds.
Zahid had filed the application to stay his defence proceedings pending a decision by the Court of Appeal on his appeal to obtain copies of the recorded statements of defence witnesses from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Based on the supporting affidavit filed with the application, he said he was advised by his lawyer to obtain copies of the recorded statements to ensure “corroboration” between his testimony and their testimony, so as not to jeopardise his right to a fair trial.
The witnesses include his daughter Datuk Nurulhidayah, his brother Datuk Seri Mohamad Nasaee Ahmad Tarmizi and businessman Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa.
Last May 9, the high court here dismissed Zahid’s application to obtain the recorded statements of 15 witnesses from the MACC on grounds that it could expose the witnesses to intimidation, like being threatened to give evidence that would be different from what was in the recorded statement.
Zahid is making his defence on 47 charges – 12 charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT), eight charges of corruption, and 27 charges of money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to YAB.
The trial is before judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah. – The Vibes, June 29, 2022
