FORMER deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s latest slew of corruption cases involves RM47 million, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya.

Zahid was slapped with seven more corruption charges this morning involving S$4.24 million (RM12.9 million) related to the awarding of a contract to a company to handle the foreign visa system, and is expected to face 33 more charges tomorrow at another court.

“This is part of a series of wrongdoing… there will be 33 charges of similar transactions (at another court) tomorrow,” Latheefa told reporters outside the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today.

Zahid claimed trial to the charges this morning.

He already faces 47 counts of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and receiving gratification.

He faces 12 counts of CBT involving some RM21 million in funds from Yayasan Akal Budi, which he once led.

He also faces eight graft charges involving RM21.25 million and 27 money-laundering charges involving RM72 million.

Latheefa, accompanied by MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki, appeared in the court today.

“Our presence today is to show that this is a matter to be taken seriously and that it’s not just another ordinary corruption case,” she said.

“It involves a person who held high office and the amount involved is very large,” she said, adding the overall amount including tomorrow’s charges would come up to RM47 million.

“As chief of MACC, I came to witness how the process is being done. But as far as the cases are concerned, the cases of enforcement, it continues. Let’s hope we nab more wrongdoers and bring them to justice,” Latheefa, who was appointed the graft busters’ top gun, on June 1.

She added the new case against Zahid was not linked to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal.

Azam told reporters that the MACC will submit a report to the Home Ministry describing the overseas visa system as flawed and filled with loopholes.

Zahid is expected to be charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court tomorrow. – June 26, 2019.