A FORMER trustee of Yayasan Akalbudi told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that he had no knowledge of the foundation’s dealings and that he was not informed of its functions when he was appointed.

Dr Zulkifli Senteri said former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi asked him to become a member of the board of trustees in 1997 and duly agreed.

He also said he first met Zahid in the 1990s when the latter was serving as the chairman of Bank Simpanan Nasional.

“I agreed with the offer to become a member of the board but there was no further clarification given on my duties and responsibilities of the role.

“I was also not given any directive on the functions of Yayasan Akalbudi,” Zulkifli, who is now the vice-chancellor of Binary University in Kuala Lumpur, told the court in a sworn statement.

The proceedings were before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah, with Raja Rozela Raja Toran and deputy public prosecutor Lee Seng Fatt prosecuting.

Lawyer Ahmad Zaidi Zainal conducted the cross-examination as Zahid’s defence counsel.

Zaidi questioned contradictions in the witness statement as Zulkifli also said he was told by Zahid that Akalbudi was formed to provide welfare for Bagan Datuk folk.

“You said that you were informed by Zahid that it was for charitable works in Bagan Datuk and that’s why you became a director. You also said you didn’t know why Yayasan was formed. That means you knew,” he told the witness.

Zulkifli said: “When I was appointed my perception was for welfare works in Bagan Datuk, and because I was from there, I thought this was my chance to help.”

“My question is that your statements are contradictory. You said you weren’t told the function and role of Yayasan Akalbudi. But after that, you said you know it was for welfare?” Zaidi said.

Zulkifli said: “I wasn’t told but I may have glanced through the memorandums and articles of associations of the foundation before I signed it (to know the reasons for forming the foundation).”

Zulkifli was the eighth witness in Zahid’s trial, who is charged with 12 counts of criminal breach of trust, eight counts of corruption and 27 counts of money-laundering, involving RM117 million.

Later, when the witness was re-examined by Lee, he said throughout his tenure as a trustee, there was no discussion of activities or money spent and that he didn’t know if there was money or not in the foundation. – November 21, 2019.