KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today succeeded in his application to regain temporary custody of his passport as he needed to fly to Mecca to perform the umrah.
High Court Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah allowed Zahid's application after lead prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran said the prosecution had been instructed not to object to the application.
However, she said since the dates Zahid needed to be in Mecca clashed with trial dates that had already been fixed, the vacated days should be substituted with new dates.
Earlier, Zahid's lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said the defence hoped Zahid's passport would be released immediately as his client needed it to facilitate the visa application process.
He said Zahid would be away from April 21 to April 30 and pledged to return the passport before May 5.
Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah said he would release the passport as the prosecution had no objections to the application.
He also fixed Apr 13, 15 and July 1 as the replacement dates for trial.
This is the second time Zahid's passport has been returned to him.
In October last year, the High Court also allowed the former deputy prime minister's passport to be temporarily released to him.
He had then wanted the passport as he needed to fly to Germany for medical treatment after suffering from injuries due to a fall.
Zahid, 68, is on trial over 47 charges, including 12 for Criminal Breach of Trust (CBT), eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving RM31 million of charity foundation Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
For the CBT charges, Zahid is alleged to have used the funds to pay for his personal credit cards, insurance policies and road tax for his personal vehicles, among others.
He faces a maximum 20 years jail, whipping and fine if convicted of the offences. - NST
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