[UPDATED] Court rejects Zahid’s bid for permanent access to passport

KUALA LUMPUR – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had his bid for permanent access to his passport rejected by the high court here today.

Bernama reports that judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah suggested instead that he apply for a diplomatic travel document.

The judge dismissed Zahid’s bid this morning, saying that one of the Umno president’s bail conditions in his corruption trial was for him to surrender his passport to the court.

Zahid is currently facing 47 graft charges for criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving funds from the Yayasan Akalbudi foundation.

While rejecting Zahid’s application for permanent access, however, the court did allow him temporary access for the purpose of applying for a diplomatic travel document.

Judge Sequerah was today quoted as saying that the deputy prime minister’s official duties must not clash with his duty to be present in court for his trial.

He said once Zahid obtains a diplomatic travel document, he is to return his passport to the court.

Zahid on January 20 filed an application at the high court to have his passport returned permanently to him, to enable him to carry out his official duties as deputy prime minister.

Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, said he has some constraints to carrying out his duties like other ministers because he does not have access to his passport.

The Bagan Datuk MP also said his application was not mala fide (malicious) or prejudiced against any parties, because he promised to continue to give full cooperation for the disposal of the case until the end of his defence case.

His corruption trial involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds is currently at the defence stage. – The Vibes, February 3, 2023