Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) detective Leading Aircraftman Mohd Zunaidy Muchtar said today he pretended to be a reporter when he saw Major Zaidi Ahmad show the media that the indelible ink on his finger had come off.

Testifying today, Mohd Zunaidy said he witnessed Zaidi ( below, right ) showing media personnel the remainder of indelible ink on his finger at a tent in the compound of a mosque in the Kepala Batas police district headquarters on May 1, 2013.

Mohd Zuraidy said he stood in between reporters and press photographers when it took place.

"At the time, I was moving from the tent area with (first witness) Sarjan Khairul. I was acting like a reporter and followed behind Major Zaidi.

"I heard him (Zaidi) introduce himself to reporters, say where he is stationed and the reason he lodged the report.

"He then showed his finger which had remnants of the indelible ink," said Mohd Zunaidy, who is the second witness to testify today.

Earlier, the detective told the military court that he saw Zaidi arrive at the police district headquarters, in uniform, at 10.05am.

He said Zaidi then entered the building and was inside for about 90 minutes.

Mohd Zuraidy is a detective with RMAF's Physical Safety and Prevention of Crime (KPFJ) unit at Provost Squadron 104, Butterworth RMAF Base.

The witness told the military court that he had been spying on Zaidi since 7.35am that day, after getting a call from Flight Sergeant Kamarul Asmawi about 1am the same day.

Ordered to monitor meeting area

According to Mohd Zunaidy, Kamarul said Zaidi, who is the commanding officer of the 12th Squadron 104, would be lodging a report at the Kepala Batas police station.

"Kamarul said Zaidi and others would gather in front of Maybank Kepala Batas before lodging the report. Hence, he directed me to monitor the meeting area," he said.

Mohd Zuraidy then went to Kepala Batas police station, following one Flight Sergeant Jamal, who joined Zaidi and other individuals, whom Mohd Zunaidy could not identify, near a restaurant beside the bank.

Jamal was identified by Mohd Zunaidy as one of the three individuals, including a woman, who showed their left fingers to the media, after they lodged the police report.

Zaidi faces seven charges under Section 51 of the Armed Forces Act for not abiding by his superior’s orders and making a media statement on the indelible ink. He stands to face a maximum jail sentence of two years or expulsion from the RMAF if convicted.

Major Ahmad Sanusi Ali, along with Major Ahmad Azam Soip and Captain Ross Anuar Aripin are conducting the prosecution, while Zaidi is represented by Hanipa, Nasar Khan Mirbaz Khan and Aminuddin Zulkipli.

Witness deleted recording on Zaidi's press conference