Zahid fails to produce PMO invite, court finds no contempt due to 'misscommunication'

ZAHID TRAIL | Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was unable to produce to the High Court a letter from the Prime Minister's Department which purportedly contained an invitation for a meeting with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

"I wish to explain to Yang Arif about the letter. I have spoken to (the prime minister's) political secretary.

"Since he has yet to be officially appointed and taken his oath, therefore the invitation letter and the letter to explain the purpose of the meeting could not be issued by that officer," Zahid told Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.

Zahid also apologised to the court.

"I had no intention to mislead the court and I respect Yang Arif and respect this court.

"Again, I apologise for the misunderstanding," he said.

Yesterday, Justice Sequerah had demanded that the graft trial against proceed in the afternoon after allowing Zahid's application for an adjournment in the morning.

The adjournment was sought to allow Zahid to join Muhyiddin for a meeting on the formation of the new cabinet.

Following this, the Prime Minister's Department issued a statement dismissing this claim.

Upon learning this, Justice Sequerah demanded that Zahid produce the invitation letter for the meeting, which was supposed to be slated for 12.30pm.

Justice Sequerah ruled that Zahid did not commit contempt and there might have been a miscommunication on the accused's part.

“I also accept there may have been a wrong choice of words when seeking adjournment and this may have generated misunderstanding.

“I also take into account the sincere apology by the accused that there was a misunderstanding. 

"And of no less importance was the undertaking by the accused’s counsel that this would not occur again...I find no case for contempt to be made out.

“As general statement and warning, this court wishes to make it clear that the court will not tolerate any attempt to mislead. 

"Should there be any hint of attempts to mislead the court or contemptuous conduct, this court makes it abundantly and crystal clear that it will not hesitate to impose fine or imprisonment," he said.

Zahid is facing a total of 47 charges, 12 of which are for CBT, eight for bribery and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi, a charitable foundation he founded.

He was indicted for breach of an RM31 million fund by Yayasan Akalbudi, receiving bribes of RM21.25 million and money laundering involving RM65 million, among other charges. - Mkini