FORMER deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s corruption trial involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds, which was due to resume today, has been postponed to January 27.

Deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran, who is leading the prosecution, told Bernama this today via WhatsApp.

“The trial will resume on January 27, subject to the government’s announcement on the movement-control order (MCO). If the MCO is extended, we will resume on February 22,” she added.

Kuala Lumpur High Court deputy registrar Farah Azura Mohd Saad confirmed the matter when contacted.

The prosecution is scheduled to call Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Fairul Rafiq Hamiruddin as the next witness in the trial.

On October 28 last year, the prosecution told high court Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah that seven more witnesses would be called to testify.

So far 90 prosecution witnesses have testified in the case, which was last heard on October 13 last year, including Armada Holdings Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Wasi Khan @ Wasiyu Zama Israr, Zahid’s former special officer Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, legal firm Lewis & Co partner B. Muralidharan, moneychanger Omar Ali Abdullah, and Zahid’s former executive secretary Mejar Mazlina Mazlan @ Ramly.

Zahid, 68, who is also Umno president, is facing 47 charges – 12 for criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money-laundering – involving millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi. – Bernama, January 18, 2021.