KUALA LUMPUR – Former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has withdrawn an application to obtain recorded statements of witnesses from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in the case involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
On May 9, justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah had ruled that the documents were privileged and should not be shared with the defence as sharing the recorded statements is against public policy since it may lead to tampering of witnesses.
The learned judge had said Section 124 of the Evidence Act stipulates that no public officer shall be compelled to disclose communications of recorded statements made under official confidence.
Zahid had later filed an appeal over the decision at the high court, and the notice of the appeal was filed at the Court of Appeal yesterday.
A lawyer representing Zahid confirmed the status of the appeal.
Meanwhile, based on the court tracking system, the hearing that was scheduled on November 14 has not been listed.
The defence had called up six witnesses, including Zahid, in the case that started on April 13, after the high court ordered him to enter his defence.
The case will resume on January 16 next year.
Zahid, 69, faces 47 corruption charges in relation to Yayasan Akalbudi, a foundation he leads. From the total, 12 are criminal breach of trust charges, eight are for graft, and 27 for money laundering. – Bernama, November 12, 2022
