KUALA LUMPUR – The high court here today was told that all 47 counts of corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering faced by Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi involving millions in Yayasan Akalbudi funds are not politically motivated or meant to tarnish the former deputy prime minister’s reputation.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigating officer and final prosecution witness Khairudin Kilau, 44, said the agency’s recommendation to the Attorney-General’s Chambers to prosecute Zahid on all charges is based on evidence obtained from witnesses and documents.
He was addressing the court during re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran on the 55th day of the trial.
Raja Rozela: Was the investigation against Zahid politically motivated and made to tarnish his reputation?
Khairudin: Not at all.
Earlier, when asked by DPP Lee Keng Fatt about the amount contributed by Zahid to Yayasan Akalbudi, Khairudin said: “Based on my investigations, Zahid never told the actual amount.”
He said the accused also never submitted any documentary evidence on the contributions.
Yesterday, Khairudin told the court that while recording Zahid’s statement, the Bagan Datuk MP said Yayasan Akalbudi’s contributions originated from him.
Khairudin agreed with Lee that there were transactions into and out of Yayasan Akalbudi’s accounts totalling RM100 million between 1997 and 2018.
Lee: If at all the contributions were from Zahid, what would be the average amount needed?
Khairudin: RM5 million a year to make it RM100 million.
During cross-examination by lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Khairudin disagreed with the suggestion that the 47 charges against Zahid are politically motivated due to his position as Umno president.
Asked if this is the first time in his 20 years with MACC that he has encountered or read about a politician being slapped with 47 charges shortly after a change in government, Khairudin said: “This is the first time.”
The prosecution closed its case today after calling 99 witnesses in the trial before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
The court fixed June 28 to 30, and July 1 and 2 for oral submissions. – Bernama, March 19, 2021
