AHMAD Zahid Hamidi’s former executive secretary admitted at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today to her negligence in handling Yayasan Akalbudi cheques when making payments for credit cards belonging to the former deputy prime minister.

Mazlina Mazlan @ Ramly, 42, who is the main prosecution witness, said it was her mistake that led to excessive payments being made using the foundation’s cheques.

She said this when cross-examined by Zahid’s lawyer, Ahmad Zaidi Zainal, on the 40th day of the trial of the Umno president, who faces corruption, abuse of power and money-laundering charges involving millions of ringgit in Yayasan Akalbudi funds.

Zaidi: Referring to a credit card statement dated December 28, 2013, with a current balance (amount due) of RM65,153.32. Puan Mazlina paid more, which was RM71,283.17, in two cheques, for RM63,701.52 and RM7, 581.65, respectively.

Mazlina: Yes.

The 90th prosecution witness agreed with Zaidi that it was her mistake.

Zaidi: In the witness statement, Puan Mazlina said that Datuk Seri Zahid is a meticulous person. If he (Zahid) is meticulous, he would not allow the excess payment.

Mazlina: Disagree.

Zaidi: Puan Mazlina never showed the credit card statements and cheques for the payment to Datuk Seri Zahid?

Mazlina: Yes.

Questioned by Zaidi on how she made the payment by cheque, dated January 7, 2014, with the correct amount when the credit card statement only came out on January 28, 2014, Mazlina said: “I mistyped the date (January) on the cheque. It should be February.”

Zaidi: This also shows your carelessness?

Mazlina: Yes.

To a question on whether a stamp with Zahid’s signature was used on certificates and invitation cards, Mazlina said: “Yes.”

She told the court that she was not aware that Yayasan Akalbudi had never made any “special resolution” or given a stamp specimen to Affin Bank for use on behalf of the foundation.

She disagreed with the lawyer’s statement that Zahid allowed the stamp to be used only once.

Last Tuesday, Mazlina told the court that Zahid gave her permission to use the stamp with his signature on Yayasan Akalbudi cheques to settle his credit card bills in 2014.

Zahid, 67, faces 12 counts of criminal breach of trust, corruption (8) and money-laundering (27) related to tens of millions of ringgit in Yayasan Akalbudi money.

The prosecution is led by deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran, while lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik heads the defence.

The hearing is before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah. – Bernama, August 28, 2020.