SHAH ALAM – After being “ridiculed'’ and “laid bare” before the court of public opinion for his alleged criminal acts, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he felt vindicated by the high court’s verdict today that freed him of all 40 charges in connection with the foreign visa system case.
In a brief press conference after the verdict, Zahid also thanked those who supported him throughout this ordeal and said today’s outcome was also a win for the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.
“From day one until the decision was read out today, I was confident that the law and its execution had been observed carefully by the judge.
“I was ridiculed, chastised, and even laid bare with so many assumptions, and have been judged before the court of public opinion, but Alhamdulillah, on this gracious Friday, we witnessed that the law was upheld in the pursuit of justice,'” he told the press.
During the press conference, Zahid personally thanked his lead defence counsel Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik and his legal team.
Zahid also thanked his wife, Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis and daughter, Nurul Hidayah Ahmad Zahid for their support.
Before ending the press conference, Zahid had also thanked the media for providing him with “balanced” reporting throughout the trial and even playfully said that he hoped for such practices to be continued in the future.
Also present at the press conference were Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and party youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, among other party leaders.
Prior to the start of today’s verdict, nearly 100 people had gathered to show their support for Zahid.
All of them had worn white like Zahid, who donned a white baju melayu and black slacks during his appearance at the high court today.
Zahid was even greeted with a traditional “pulut kuning” made by his supporters, as he exited the Shah Alam court complex, with many chanting “Allahuakhbar!” in celebration of the verdict.
Earlier today, high court judge Mohd Yazid Mustafa ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case on the 40 charges against Zahid. – The Vibes, September 22, 2022
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