Zahid graft trial postponed again as an anti-Covid-19 measure

 

The Kuala Lumpur High Court has postponed Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's corruption trial for the next two days as part of anti-Covid-19 measures.

Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah allowed the postponement bid by defence counsel Hamidi Mohd Noh during proceedings this morning.

Former deputy prime minister Zahid was not present at court today.

The court allowed the postponement when informed by Hamidi that the accused was served a further House Surveillance Order (HSO) by the Health Ministry last Saturday (Sept 26).

"The accused will undergo another test today at his residence by the KKM (Health Ministry) for the RT-PCR test to determine whether he is positive or negative (of Covid-19).

"The (RT-PCR) test can only be done at the end of the day today.

"In this instance, the defence wished to apply for postponement of trial for today, tomorrow and Wednesday (this week) as he will be tested today and the result will only be out tomorrow," Hamidi said.

DPP Raja Rozela Raja Toran did not raise an objection to the postponement application.

Sequerah then vacated the trial dates for today, tomorrow and Wednesday this week, and for the trial to resume on Oct 12.

"As a precaution, the trial dates (today until Wednesday this week) will be vacated," the judge informed parties today.

On Sept 21, it was reported that the court postponed the scheduled trial that day pending the result of the accused's Covid-19 test.

This initial postponement is believed to be due to Zahid having undergone a Covid-19 test as a precautionary measure following his return from Sabah, where he was campaigning for BN for the recently concluded state polls.

It was reported that the Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Covid-19 screening test conducted on Zahid that Monday, came back negative. A subsequent test on Sept 27 was also negative.

The tests were due to Zahid having been in close contact with BN's Pitas candidate Sufian Abd Karim. Sufian had tested positive for Covid-19 and has been under home quarantine.

When met by the media after proceedings, Hamidi explained that today's afternoon Covid-19 screening for Zahid as the accused had come in contact with Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan.

On Sept 23, it was reported that Shahril tested positive from Covid-19, following his participation in the Sabah polls campaign period.

Hamidi today said Zahid might have come in contact with Shahril between Sept 15 and 16 during campaigning.

"It is better to err on the side of caution," Hamidi said.

Zahid, who was also former home minister, is on trial over 47 charges.

Twelve counts are for alleged criminal breach of trust (CBT), eight counts for bribery and 27 counts of money-laundering involving millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi. - Mkini