KUALA LUMPUR (April 10): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s trial over alleged criminal breach of trust (CBT) of more than RM31 million of his charity Yayasan Akalbudi’s funds has been postponed yet again, as he has submitted a new letter of representation to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to reconsider the charges. 

At a case mention before judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, Zahid’s lawyer Hamidi Mohd Noh informed the court that the application for a delay in the trial — which was supposed to resume on Monday (April 10) — was because they had found new evidence and facts which are pertinent to the charges Zahid is facing. 

Hamidi explained that while they had sent the letter of representation to the AGC in January, they then sent an additional letter of representation with the new evidence and facts in February for consideration of the Attorney-General. 

A letter of representation is normally sent by lawyers to either ask for a reduction or a withdrawal of charges for their client. 

Hamidi had asked that trial dates set for April, May, June and July be vacated and that the trial resume only later, in August this year. 

When asked by Sequerah as to what the reasons were for the adjournment, Hamidi said: “The representation letter states that there are new facts and new evidence being contributory to the charges”. 

Deputy public prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob had then addressed Sequerah by telling him that he had instructions from the Attorney-General not to object to the application. 

He explained that this was due to the length of the letter, which is 200 pages long, and would take some time for the AGC to consider the letter. 

“My instructions (from the Attorney-General) was not to object to this application for adjournment. The letter was voluminous and had complex issues to be considered. There are several stages to the letter and the first one was received in January and then in February, there was another set of documents sent. When we perused through these documents, there were complex issues raised in this letter. Thus, after consulting my superiors, I was instructed to not object today. Prosecution needs reasonable time to consider application,” he told Sequerah. 

Malik also told Sequerah that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is also investigating the matter. 

He said that he is not sure when the MACC would conclude its investigations, and he is waiting for the decision. 

Sequerah then allowed the application to adjourn the case till August. 

He then replaced the 16 trial dates which were adjourned and replaced them with 18 dates towards the end of the year. 

The adjourned dates are: April 10 till 13, and May 15 to 18, and additionally June 12 to June 15, and July 24 to July 27. 

The trial will now resume on Aug 1 to 3, Aug 7 to 10, and Aug 21 to 24. 

The new additional trial dates are: Sept 4-8, Oct 30-31,  Nov 13-17, Nov 20-24, and Dec 11-15. 

Following the 15th general election held on Nov 19 last year, Zahid was named as one of the two deputy prime ministers on Dec 2 and was sworn-in to the position on Dec 3. Zahid is also the rural and regional development minister.

Zahid, who is also Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman, is facing 47 charges.

This is not the first time an adjournment has been sought and granted to Zahid. 

Earlier this year, the trial was previously slated to resume from Jan 16-19, and continue on Jan 30-31, Feb 7-9, and March 27. However, it was also adjourned without any reason given. 

Zahid is facing 47 charges, comprising 12 for CBT, eight for corruption, and 27 for money laundering, involving RM31 million of Yayasan Akalbudi funds.

For the 12 CBT charges, Zahid is alleged to have used the funds to make payments for personal credit cards, insurance policies and licences for his personal vehicles, remittances to a law firm, and contributions to the Royal Malaysian Police football association.

The charges, under Section 409 of the Penal Code, each carries a maximum of 20 years in jail, whipping and fine.