KUALA LUMPUR: Former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today pleaded not guilty and claimed trial to seven charges of accepting bribe totalling S$4.24 million from a company over the overseas visa (VLN) system.
Ahmad Zahid, 66, made the plea after all the charges were read to him before Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi.
He was accused of accepting the bribe from Syarikat Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd as an inducement for him as a public officer, that is as the Home Minister, to extend the company’s contract as the operator of the One Stop Centre (OSC) in China and the VLN system.
He is alleged to have committed the offence at Seri Satria, Precinct 16, Putrajaya, between March 28, 2017, and March 2, 2018.
The charge, under Section 16 (a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and punishable under Section 24 (1) of the same Act, carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and fine of RM10,000 or five times the amount of the bribe, whichever is higher, if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Mukhzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar offered bail of RM200,000 with one surety for all charges.
“Since the accused has been charged for other offences, his passport has already been surrendered to the court,” he said.
Lawyer Kitson Foong representing Ahmad Zahid had no objection and agreed to the bail offered by the prosecution.
The court allowed the accused bail of RM200,000 with one surety and set July 31 for re-mention of the case.
On Oct 19 and Dec 14, 2018, as well as Feb 20 this year, Ahmad Zahid had pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to a total of 47 charges, 12 of which were for criminal breach of trust, eight for bribery and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
The cases were then transferred to the High Court and set for trial from Nov 18 to 22, Dec 2 to 6 and Dec 9 to 13. – Bernama
