LIVE: Charges are ‘a test from God’, says Zahid

Alfian Z.M. Tahir Bede Hong Alfian Z.M. Tahir, Bede Hong Updated 5 years ago · Published on 19 Oct 2018 1:00PM · 11 Comments

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was investigated over claims that RM800,000 from a family-run foundation was used to clear credit card bills. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, October 19, 2018.

UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi claimed trial to 45 counts of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money-laundering involving RM114.15 million, and told reporters that he viewed the accusations against him as “a test from God”.

“I accept the charges thrown at me. I accept it with an open heart as it is a test from God,” Zahid told reporters outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court after posting half of his RM2 million bail.

“Whatever good deeds that I have done, I hope in return God will protect me.”

The former deputy prime minister pleaded not guilty to 27 counts of money-laundering under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla), 10 counts of criminal breach of trust under Section 409 of the Penal Code and eight counts of corruption under Section 16(a)(B) of MACC Act 2009 punishable under Section 24 of the same Act.

He had appeared subdued earlier when the court registrar took 45 minutes to read out the charge sheets.

Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi allowed RM2 million bail in one surety and allowed the bail be posted in instalments: RM1 million today and the balance by October 26.

She also ordered Zahid to surrender his passport to the court.  

The case has been set for mention on December 14.

Zahid had arrived at the court at 8.05am in a black Vellfire escorted by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers.

Former Umno president Najib Razak made an appearance in court to show support for an “old friend”. He arrived about 9.15am and left about half an hour earlier, just before the charges were read out.

“I am here to express my support for Zahid as a party colleague and as a friend,” Najib told reporters outside the court complex.

Zahid was arrested following his sixth visit to the MACC headquarters yesterday.

His wife, Hamidah Khamis, and daughter Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid were present in the public gallery, along with Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob

Gopal Sri Ram leads the prosecution, along with DPP Akram Garib and three other DPPs while Hisyam Teh Poh Teik leads Zahid’s 12-man defence.

The Malaysian Insight brings you live updates of today’s proceedings:

11.35pm: Court grants Zahid bail at RM2 million – RM1 million today and the remainder on October 26. Zahid posts bail.

11.30pm: Court resumes. 

11am: Umno members creating a ruckus at the gates, demanding to be let in.

10.20am: Gopal says he was reproached by the Malaysian Bar for allowing instalments.

“Why should he treated any differently? There should be no exceptions.”

He says if the full amount of bail is not posted today, then Zahid should remain detained. “We move to decline the application for instalments.”

10.18am: Lead prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram proposes RM2 million bail. Hisyam says the RM1 million will be paid today and another RM1 million on November 2.

10.14am: Umno deputy president Mohamad Hassan leaves the court.

9.51am: Najib leaves court complex.

9.44am: Charges relating to money laundering are read out.

9.42am: Eighteen charges are read out. Zahid claims trial to 10 counts of criminal breach of trust under Section 409 of the Penal Code and eight counts of corruption under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009, punishable under Section 24 of the same Act. He appears subdued as the court registrar reads out the charges. 

9.22am: Charges being read out.

9.15am: Former prime minister Najib Razak arrives in court.

9.05am: Umno Supreme Council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Wanita head Noraini Ahmad are present at the public gallery.

8.55am: The number of Umno supporters increases while police have already deployed the Light Strike Force on standby.

8.45am: Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam gives authorities an ultimatum: allow them to enter or they will continue to use a hailer at the front gates.

8.40am: Police bar Umno supporters from entering the court complex.

8.30am: Almost 200 Umno supporters are gathered outside the KL High Court. Some are holding placards showing support for Zahid.– October 19, 2018.

Umno supporters waiting outside the court complex for the start of proceedings against their president today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, October 19, 2018.

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Comments

  • Why again the tolerance of non wearing orange lock up attire. If such is the case it is very bias and selective in adhering to law application. Next time it shall be challenge and put to shame that MACC are pro to Umno. leaders

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • And may God help u zahid hamidi

    Posted 5 years ago by Mo Hisham · Reply

  • GOD gives man a choice to choose between the good or the bad.

    Posted 5 years ago by H M · Reply

  • One comment on the layout...referring to the live updates.
    We are obviously reading the article from top to bottom
    Shouldnt then the chronology of events run in the same sequence/order... ie starting from the earlier (morning) events leading to the later events (at the bottom most).
    The current layout forces the readers to read the chronology of events from bottom to top, and then revert back to the bottom to continue the story..

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Most see them as the punishment rather than the test from God.

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • With incontrovertible evidence of you depositing cheques worth millions in FD and your account, you call this a this a test from GOD?!

    Posted 5 years ago by Mo Hisham · Reply

  • Usual lah...when caught red-handed with numerous detailed cheques received into his personal/nominees bank account similar to Najib now he is invoking the name of Allah, Islam and race. Najib used a similar line of Islam too when he said he was given the RM681 million donation by a saudi prince because of his good work done for Islam. Did Allah teach Zahid corruption is wrong and what test Allah has given him? No doubt Zahid did some good work by contributing to tahfiz schools, mosques, surau, and orphanages and these were for Islam. But corruption cannot be linked to Islam nor can it be used to mitigate leniency for corruption. Zahid's good work was pale in comparison to the billions of ringgit that you stole from your poor muslim brethen using your position in the previous Government. Don't insult and sully the name of Allah and Islam.

    Posted 5 years ago by LJ WONG · Reply

    • The donations and charity are just a guise for his crime. He is using the name of God and Islam to stirr shits as per to the 3Rs doctrine of warfare and self serving. Hang all the corrupted war lords of Umno and we shall see the best of Malaysia in the making.

      Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • 8.45am: Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam gives authorities an ultimatum: allow them to enter or they will continue to use a hailer at the front gates.

    Wow. Can give authorities ultimatum oh

    Posted 5 years ago by Gerald Lau · Reply

  • Which GOD is this that teaches or tells human to do CHARITY WORK with stolen or absconded or swindled MONEY. In my Religion we are instructed to take out 10% of our hard money (salary) for the needy . Help the underprivelege no matter which race or religion he/she belongs to in other words help HUMANITY . Sorry to say this pls Malays dont disgrace ur Race n Religion to cover UMNO n BN Corrupt Regime. Enough is Enough RAKYAT is not stupid

    Posted 5 years ago by Tharan Singh · Reply

  • God is great. Finally bad people who deserve to be punished are being punished. This is the test God has given but the bad refused to stop doing bad things. Not after you are caught. Stupid.

    Posted 5 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply