THE prosecution in former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s trial intends to prove he had knowingly received RM117.25 million illegally, with some of it meant for the poor and needy.

In the opening statement, lead prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran said the accused knew of every dealing made.

“Witness testimonies and documentary evidence will be adduced to show proof that the accused knew or had reason to believe that millions of ringgit he received were proceeds from unlawful activities,” Raja Rozela told presiding judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

The prosecution will open its case with the 12 criminal breach of trust (CBT) charges where Zahid had allegedly misappropriated RM31 million from Yayasan Akalbudi and will prove that he used the money to make six payments to personal credit cards, insurance policy and licences of his personal vehicles.

Yayasan Akalbudi is a charity organisation that is set up to help the needy.

“The prosecution will prove that these monies were entrusted to the accused in his capacity as member of the Yayasan’s board of trustees.

“The money trail that will be presented in court will show that not a single sen out of the RM31 million was used for the benefit of the poor,” she said.

At least 20 witnesses are to be called.

As for his corruption charges, the prosecution said it will prove that between 2016 and 2018, during his tenure as home minister, Zahid received RM17 million as reward for awarding three distinct contracts to several companies.

“The prosecution will lead evidence that the accused was instrumental in the award of the three contracts,” said Raja Rozela.

She also said at the same period, Zahid had allegedly cashed in on his position as a minister when he allegedly received RM4.25 million from a “person”.

“These payments were corruptly received as an inducement for the accused to help secure MyEG projects under the purview of his ministry,” she said, adding that 15 witnesses will be called in relation to these charges.

The 27 money laundering charges will show Zahid had allegedly received RM65 million in cheques from individuals known and unknown to him.

“The evidence that follows will show that these cheques were delivered to a lawyer, Muralidharan of Messrs Lewis and Co, who in turn deposited the cheques into the client’s (Zahid) account.”

She said the money was used to make placements for fixed deposits under the firm’s name and also to purchase two bungalow units worth RM5.9 million.

Zahid faces 47 charges, 12 are for CBT, eight for bribery and 27 for money laundering. – November 18, 2019.