Malaysia: Slew of graft trials to resume

• THE trial of Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who faces corruption, criminal breach of trust and money-laundering charges in relation to Yayasan Akalbudi funds, will resume on 15 Jun 20.
• Proceedings were last held on 6 Mar 20 before high court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah. They were supposed to resume on 24 Mar 20, but had to be postponed due to the movement-control order (MCO).
• Deputy public prosecutor Lee Keng Fatt had told the court that the prosecution would call more than 50 witnesses. So far, 43 have testified.
• Zahid, 67, faces 47 charges – 12 for CBT, corruption (8) and money-laundering (27) – involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to the foundation.
• Meanwhile, the corruption trial of Rosmah Mansor in connection with the supply and installation of solar energy at 369 rural schools in Sarawak will continue for 31 days beginning 13 Jul 20 at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
• Poh also informed the court that he would call nine more witnesses and would also submit three more witness statements to the defence by end of the month.
• The prosecution has so far called 12 witnesses and when hearing continues on 13 Jul 20, the defence is expected to continue with its cross-examination of the 12th witness, former education ministry secretary-general Alias Ahmad.
• Rosmah, 68, is facing a charge of soliciting MYR187.5mn and two counts of receiving a bribe of MYR6.5mn from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin through her former aide, Rizal Mansor as gratification for helping the company to secure the MYR1.25bn project in Sarawak, through direct negotiation from the Education Ministry.
• As for Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who is charged with receiving a MYR2mn bribe from a businessman, his trial resume on 29 Jun 20. High court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan fixed three consecutive days for the hearing.
• He ordered the defence to submit written witness statements to the prosecution a week before the hearing. Lawyer Cains Tan, representing the former Federal Territories minister, said he will call three more witnesses.

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