Malaysia

Zahid’s foundation cannot receive ‘political donations’, MACC officer tells trial


Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) faces 47 charges of money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving millions from Yayasan Akalbudi. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: A witness in the Ahmad Zahid Hamidi corruption trial told the High Court that the former deputy prime minister’s Yayasan Akalbudi cannot receive “political donations” as it was a charitable body.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Khairudin Kilau said this when he was cross-examined by lawyer Ahmad Zaidi Zainal.

Zaidi had earlier suggested to the witness that Zahid had received political donations from third parties and these funds were deposited into Yayasan Akalbudi’s bank account.

“I disagree on your contention,” Khairudin said.

The lawyer then pointed out that a sum of RM360,000 was paid to TS Consultancy & Resources for political activities between Aug 20, 2015 and Dec 23, 2016. The court previously heard that this money was paid to conduct registration of voters.

“Would it be wrong to spend money from political donations on political activities?” Zaidi asked.

“Yayasan Akalbudi is not a political organisation,” Khairudin said.

To another question on a RM10 million “loan” from Yayasan Akalbudi to Armada Holdings Sdn Bhd in December 2015, the officer said he disagreed that the RM10 million was a loan from the foundation.

“Yayasan Akalbudi is not a licensed financial institution. You need a licence to offer loans,” Khairudin added.

The witness also said the two Yayasan Akalbudi’s trustee members were in the dark about the RM10 million for Armada Holdings.

Zaidi: Did the two trustee members (Khairuddin Tarmizi and Mohd Nabil Saleh) object to the RM10 million loan?

Khairudin: How were they supposed to raise any objection if they were not told about it in the first place?

The defence told the court that Zahid had lodged a police report in December last year over testimonies made by witnesses during the hearing. The report was tendered to the court and Khairudin affirmed it was lodged after two key witnesses had completed their testimonies.

The hearing continues before High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah tomorrow. Lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik will continue his cross-examination of Khairudin.

Zahid faces 47 charges of money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving millions from Yayasan Akalbudi, and accepting bribes for various projects during his tenure as home minister.



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