KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here today dismissed an application by former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is facing 47 charges of money-laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption, for the temporary return of his impounded passport to perform his umrah.
After hearing submissions by both the defence and prosecution, Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah said the performance of umrah, although highly recommended during the fasting month, was not compulsory.
“In my understanding, there is no desperate need and there is no obligation on the applicant (Zahid) to perform umrah.
“Although the applicant has been performing umrah for the past 30 years, the situation and circumstances currently prevailing are very different as he is presently facing numerous serious charges. Therefore, the court dismisses this application,” he said.
Hisyam said that his client had no other intention as he is still an MP and his family members are still in the country.
“He will return the passport to the court the day after his return to this country,” Hisyam said.
Zahid was also present in the court today.
Another lawyer representing Zahid, Ahmad Zaidi Zainal, said his client had never failed to annually perform umrah over the past 30 years, especially during the month of Ramadan.
Justice Sequerah: So, are you saying it is compulsory?
Zaidi: No, but its highly recommended in Islam. He has never failed to annually perform umrah over the past 30 years.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Sazilee Abdul Khairi objected to the application saying that it was not a desperate need for the applicant to perform umrah as the charges the accused is facing were serious.
Earlier, the court fixed Nov 18, 20, 21, 22 and Dec 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12,13 for the trial.
On March 22, Sequerah had set 18 days for the trial from July 8 until Sept 12.
However, the dates had been vacated for the trial of former prime minister Najib Razak, who is facing 25 corruption and money laundering charges involving RM2.28 billion of 1MDB funds. It was scheduled to commence from Aug 19 until the first two weeks of November.
On Oct 19 and Dec 14 last year, Zahid had pleaded not guilty to a total of 46 charges, comprising 11 charges of CBT, eight charges of corruption and 27 charges of money laundering involving millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
On Feb 20 this year, he was slapped with another charge of CBT involving RM260,000 belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
BERNAMA
Everyone has to meet his or her Maker someday. Some people are kidding themselves if they think prayers or Umrah visits will cleanse themselves of sins
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