AHMAD Zahid Hamidi told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that he did not misappropriate Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB) funds for personal interest, despite being its founder.

He said the foundation’s funds are used for activities allowed under the Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&A) or YAB’s objectives.

“I cannot use the foundation’s funds for personal interest,” said the former deputy prime minister.

He said this during re-examination by his lawyer, Hamidi Mohd Noh, in his defence on 47 charges, namely 12 for criminal breach of trust, corruption (8) and money-laundering (27), involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to YAB.

To a question posed by another lawyer on his team, Ahmad Zaidi Zainal, on whether he was informed by former deputy managing director of Datasonic Group Bhd Chew Ben Ben about the RM6 million cheque, Zahid said it was a political contribution.

Zaidi: Why was the contribution from Datasonic, which Datuk Seri received, credited into the account of Messrs. Lewis & Co and not used for political activities?

Zahid: My Lord, any political contributions, even for my personal activities as a politician, I place them in the account of Messrs. Lewis & Co as the YAB trustee to be channelled for activities that are allowed under the M&A to meet YAB’s objectives.

In past proceedings, Zahid, 69, told the court that the two cheques for RM6 million, which he received from Chew when he was deputy prime minister, were political contributions and not bribes.

The hearing before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues. – Bernama, August 30, 2022.