SHAH ALAM: The defence in Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s corruption trial involving the government’s foreign visa system today described the 40 charges levied against the former deputy prime minister as “selective prosecution”.
In rebutting the prosecution’s opening statement, lawyers Ahmad Zaidi Zainal and Hamidi Mohd Noh said the 40 charges were being used as a tool for “character assassination” against Zahid.
“He did not take any advantage when he assumed the position of home minister. Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd was not appointed during our client’s tenure in office from 2013 to 2018,” they said.
Ultra Kirana is the contractor appointed to manage the foreign visa system and the One-Stop Centre in China.
Earlier, in its opening statement, the prosecution had contended that kickbacks were paid to Zahid as an inducement for him to extend their contract.
The prosecutors said that Zahid, as the home minister, had taken advantage of his position to “accumulate wealth”.
Zahid is standing trial on 40 charges of receiving bribes as an inducement to extend the company’s contract.
Zaidi and Hamidi told the High Court the defence will rebut testimony from witnesses and cast a doubt on the prosecution’s case.
The first prosecution witness, Companies Commission of Malaysia assistant registrar Muhammad Akmaludin Abdullah, testified that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers sought documents related to Ultra Kirana in September 2018.
He said Ultra Kirana had businesses in services connected to visa facilities.
He named Tan Chuin Boon and Fadzil Ahmad as the company’s directors, adding that Wan Quoris Shah Wan Abdul Ghani and two companies, HRL Capital Sdn Bhd and Seri Optima Sdn Bhd, held shares in Ultra Kirana.
The hearing before High Court Judge Mohd Yazid Mustafa continues tomorrow. - FMT
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