[UPDATED] Zahid’s graft trial: prosecution retracts letter asking judge to prioritise case

KUALA LUMPUR – The prosecution has retracted a letter requesting for high court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah to prioritise former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s corruption case.

While deputy public prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob said the matter about the letter is over, Sequerah told him no one could dictate to the court what is being given priority.

As for Zahid’s defence team, lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said they hope the trial will be conducted according to the rule of law, as the letter might be construed as applying pressure on the judiciary.

In the letter that has gone viral on social media, Malik wrote that he was instructed to apply to the judge to prioritise Zahid’s case over former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Bhd trial.

The DPP added that the application was to see that Zahid’s case, which is at the defence stage, wraps up as soon as possible.

Sequerah is also presiding over Najib’s 1MDB trial.

Meanwhile, ad hoc prosecutor for Najib’s 1MDB trial Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram told Free Malaysia Today that he had informed Sequerah last Thursday on the same matter.

“I told the judge that Zahid’s case is at the defence stage while Najib’s is still at the prosecution level,” he was quoted as saying to the news portal.

FMT also reported lawyer Zaid Ibrahim urging  Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat to demand an explanation from Attorney-General Idrus Harun on the DPP’s letter, saying it was contemptuous of the court and showed political interference in the judiciary.

“The retraction was not because the author felt it was wrong and showed any remorse.

“It was only withdrawn because it had raised alarm overnight after a copy of it went viral on social media,” Zaid was quoted as saying.

Zahid is facing 47 charges of money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving millions of ringgit through his charitable foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi, as well as accepting numerous bribes for projects during his tenure as home minister. 

The former deputy prime minister is now being cross-examined as the first defence witness. 

Meanwhile, imprisoned Najib is accused of abusing his position as then prime minister to secure bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount. – The Vibes, August 30, 2022