Zahid withdraws appeal to obtain recorded statements of witnesses from MACC

Former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has withdrawn an application to obtain recorded statements of witnesses from the MACC in the case involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.

On May 9, Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah had ruled that the documents were privileged and should not be shared with the defence as sharing the recorded statements was against public policy since it may lead to tampering of witnesses.

The judge had said Section 124 of the Evidence Act stipulates that no public officer shall be compelled to disclose communications of recorded statements made under official confidence.

Zahid (above) later filed an appeal over the decision at the High Court.

The notice of the appeal was filed at the Court of Appeal yesterday.

A lawyer who represented Zahid, when contacted by Bernama, confirmed the status of the appeal.

Meanwhile, based on the court tracking system, the hearing that was scheduled on Nov 14, was not listed.

The defence had called up six witnesses including Zahid in the case that started on April 13, after the High Court had ordered Zahid to enter his defence.

The case will resume on Jan 16, next year.

Zahid, 69, faces 47 corruption charges, in relation to Yayasan Akalbudi, a foundation which he leads, and from the total, 12 are for criminal breach of trust charges, eight for graft and 27 for money laundering.

- Bernama

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