Zahid’s trial postponed to July 29 after witness gets Covid-19

SHAH ALAM: Former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s graft trial at the High Court here was interrupted on Tuesday (July 26) when a witness was unfit to attend court.

According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran, the man who was the prosecution’s 18th and final witness had tested positive for Covid-19.

The case has been scheduled to resume on Friday, July 29.

Initially, the case had been scheduled to run the whole week from July 25 to July 29.

Raja Rozela said the witness, a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer, would be present in court if his health permits.

“I was informed late last night that the investigating officer is Covid-19 positive,” Raja Rozela told judge Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa.

She also asked for the dates fixed for the case this week to be retained as the prosecution would be calling the MACC investigating officer to take the stand on Friday if he tests negative.

Ahmad Zahid is facing multiple charges for allegedly receiving money amounting to RM42mil from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB).

The cash was allegedly financial inducement for himself in his capacity as a government official and the then Home Minister to help UKSB retain the Foreign Visa System (VLN) contract among others.