Zahid’s corruption trial unlikely to proceed this week, says lawyer

KUALA LUMPUR: The submission proceedings of former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is facing corruption charges is unlikely to proceed this week due to the extended lockdown, his lawyer said.

Lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said the defence and the prosecution were, however, waiting for further directions from trial judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.

“We are waiting for instructions from the court although it was announced yesterday that the nationwide lockdown will continue until daily Covid-19 cases drop to below 4,000,” he told FMT.

The lockdown, which began on June 1, was supposed to end today after being extended two weeks ago.

Hisyam said parties were scheduled to make oral submissions from tomorrow until Friday after the prosecution closed its case in March.

However, there may be a possibility of the submission done virtually should both parties agree.

The lawyer said the court had earlier also given a few dates in September and October.

Zahid, who is Umno president and Bagan Datuk MP, is facing 12 criminal breach of trust, eight corruption and 27 money laundering charges involving RM117 million belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.

On March 19, the prosecution concluded its case after calling 99 witnesses to testify.

As directed by the court, the prosecution and defence filed their written submissions on May 28.

The trial began on Nov 18, 2019, and the case was heard for 53 days. — Free Malaysia Today