Prosecution pushes to cite Zahid for contempt after PMD's denial, decision tomorrow
The prosecution is pushing to cite Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for contempt in his corruption trial after the Prime Minister's Department denied that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had met with any political leaders on forming the cabinet today.
The denial was made after Zahid (above) this morning managed to get his trial postponed for the day by claiming that he had to meet with Muhyiddin on forming the new cabinet.
Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah had summoned Zahid back to court this afternoon after learning about the denial.
As soon as the court was in session, deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran informed the court that the prosecution wanted to cite Zahid for contempt....
The prosecution is pushing to cite Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for contempt in his corruption trial after the Prime Minister's Department (PMD) denied that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had met with any political leaders on forming the cabinet today.
The denial was made after Zahid (above) this morning managed to get his trial postponed for the day by claiming that he had to meet with Muhyiddin on forming the new cabinet.
Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah had summoned Zahid back to court this afternoon after learning about the denial.
As soon as the court was in session, deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran informed the court that the prosecution wanted to cite Zahid for contempt.
"Because the accused was caught lying. He had intentionally misled this court into giving him a day off.
"This is unacceptable... We have been made to look like a fool. We took the defence's word in good faith and this is what we get," she said.
Zahid's lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik apologised to the court, stating that it was not the defence's intention to mislead the court.
The application to postpone Zahid's trial this morning was done by another member of the defence team, lawyer Hamidi Mohd Noh. He had cited a scheduled meeting between Zahid and Muhyiddin on the formation of the cabinet as the reason.
Hisyam conceded that the wording may have not been accurate but maintained that there was supposed to be a meeting.
"Perhaps it was the wrong choice of words to say that it would be a discussion on the formation of the cabinet," he said.
Hisyam also denied media reports that he had personally cited the meeting with "the prime minister" when the application was made this morning, but Raja Rozela disputed this by citing from her own notes.
Explaining himself, Zahid maintained that he had received a letter from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for a meeting at 12.30pm.
However, Zahid said he only arrived at 12.45pm, by which time Muhyiddin (above) had left.
"Normally, in a new government, the political party leader has to negotiate the position of our MPs to be appointed into the cabinet lineup," he said.
Raja Rozela then quizzed the defence on details of the letter.
"The letter from PMO, what is the date of the letter? When was it sent?
"If I may add, if indeed there was a letter inviting him for a meeting, why did the PMD issue a notification denying the meeting?" she said.
Collin then said he will wait until tomorrow to decide on the possible contempt of court action against Zahid after Zahid produces the purported letter from the PMO as evidence.
Zahid had pleaded not guilty to a total of 47 charges, 12 of which are for CBT, eight for bribery and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
He was indicted for breach of an RM31 million fund by Yayasan Akalbudi, receiving bribes of RM21.25 million and money laundering involving RM65 million, among other charges.
So far, prosecutors have called 38 witnesses to testify up to the 18th day of trial.
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