UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he accepted the decision of Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah’s decision that he enter defence on all 47 charges of misappropriation of funds from a charity organisation.

Zahid said his legal team would carry out its duties according to the procedures determined by the court.

“Personally, my lawyers and I agree with the decision made in the court as read by the judge because it is the absolute right of the judge.

“My legal team will carry out its duties according to the procedure determined by the court during defence and we will continue this legal effort as set by the court earlier. The date has also been set,” Zahid told reporters in the court complex lobby today.

Earlier, Sequerah ordered Zahid to enter a defence on all 47 charges of misappropriation of funds from his foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi.

The 47 charges constitute 12 counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM31 million, eight corruption charges involving RM21.25 million and 27 money laundering charges involving RM65 million belonging to the charity foundation.

Sequerah rejected Zahid’s immunity defence.

“Of the immunity points, I find no merit to the contention that the case has immunity in relation to the 12 charges under section 409 of the penal code.

“After maximum evaluation, the prosecution has proven ingredients of all 12 charges and has successfully proven there is a case to answer. The accused is asked to enter defence for all 12 charges,” he said.

“For the eight charges under section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, after maximum evaluation, I find that the prosecution has similarly proven all ingredients of all eight charges.

“In respect of the 27 charges under section 4 Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, after conducting maximum evaluation, the prosecution has again made its case.

“I call upon the accused to enter a defence on all 27 charges.” – January 24, 2022.