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KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has failed to stay his defence proceedings pending a decision by the appellate court on his appeal to obtain copies of the recorded statements of defence witnesses.
High court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah said in his decision that Zahid “did not meet the threshold” nor “denied a fair trial”, reported Free Malaysia Today.
Sequerah added that the prosecution will assist the defence team in getting the witnesses interviewed, including Zahid’s family members.
On June 23, Zahid 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 Yayasan Akalbudi. – The Vibes, July 4, 2022
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