Malaysian ex-minister Zahid to know fate on Sept 23

High Court judge Justice Mohamad Yazid Mustafa, who set the date to deliver his verdict based on whether the prosecution had successfully proven a prima facie case against the accused, also directed both the prosecution and defence teams to file notes of their submissions by September 13.

Yesterday marked the end of both parties’ oral submissions after the prosecution closed its case.

Ahmad Zahid, 69, was charged with 33 counts of receiving bribes amounting to S$13.56 million (352.5 million baht) from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) during his tenure as home minister in order to extend the company’s contract to continue operating the one-stop centre in China and the VLN.

The alleged graft was also to ensure that the contract agreement for the supply of the VLN integrated system by the company was maintained.

He was also slapped with seven additional charges for allegedly procuring for himself S$1.15 million, 3 million ringgit (24.3 million baht), 15,000 Swiss francs (558,800 baht) and US$15,000 (549,000 baht) in his capacity as home minister.

He was accused of committing the crime between October 2014 and March 2018 in his private residence in Country Homes, Kajang, and his official residence in Putrajaya.

The Star

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