THE Court of Appeal has set March 18 to hear the prosecution’s appeal against Umno president Zahid Hamidi’s acquittal on 40 charges of corruption in connection with the foreign visa system (VLN) contract following case management before deputy registrar Muhammad Noor Firdaus Rosli today.

The appellate court also fixed January 29 for parties to update with regard to the status of Zahid’s representation.

Zahid’s counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik confirmed the fixing of the dates, when contacted by Bernama and said the hearing will go on if the representation is rejected.

Zahid submitted the representation to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) in January for consideration not to pursue the appeal.

On September 23 last year, the Shah Alam High Court acquitted and discharged Zahid, who is now deputy prime minister, after ruling that prosecution had not made out a prima facie case against him. The prosecution then filed its appeal to the appellate court.

Zahid had pleaded not guilty to 33 counts of receiving bribes of S$13.56 million (RM47.14 milllion) from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd to extend its contract as the operator of a one-stop centre service in China and the VLN system, as well as to maintain its contract with the Home Ministry to supply the VLN integrated system.

Zahid, who was the home minister, was alleged to have committed those offences at Seri Satria, Precinct 16, Putrajaya and Country Heights, Kajang between October 2014 and March 2018.

He also claimed trial to 33 alternative charges under section 165 of the Penal Code, where he was charged with receiving bribes amounting to S$13.56 million in relation to the VLN system between 2014 and 2017.

For the other seven charges, he was alleged to have obtained for himself cash of S$1,150,000, RM3 million, 15,000 Swiss francs (RM37,000) and US$15,000 (RM70,200) from the same company, which he knew had a connection with his official functions.

Zahid allegedly committed the offences at a house in Country Heights, Kajang between June 2015 and October 2017. – Bernama, November 17, 2023.