THE trial of Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who faces corruption, criminal breach of trust and money-laundering charges involving millions in Yayasan Akalbudi funds, has been postponed to Friday as the key witness is on sick leave.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Sazilee Abdul Khairi told Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah that Mazlina Mazlan @ Ramly, who is Zahid’s former executive secretary, was granted sick leave today.

“We received a WhatsApp message from the witness saying she is on sick leave.

“We have handed over a photocopy of the medical certificate (received via WhatsApp) to the court, with the promise that the original certificate will be given on Friday… Hopefully, she will be around on Friday.”

Today was supposed to be the trial’s 39th day, with Mazlina to be questioned by the former deputy prime minister’s lawyers.

Zahid’s lead counsel, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, did not object to the postponement.

Yesterday, Mazlina, who is the 90th prosecution witness, testified that Zahid allowed his signature stamp to be used on Yayasan Akalbudi cheques to pay for his credit card bills in 2014.

The 42-year-old said the accused then instructed her not to use the cheques to settle the bills as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had begun investigating the matter.

Zahid, 67, faces 47 charges – 12 counts of CBT, corruption (8) and money-laundering (27) – in relation to tens of millions of ringgit in Yayasan Akalbudi money. – Bernama, August 26, 2020.