criminal charges Former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi walks out of the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex after his corruption, power abuse and money laundering trial involving Yayasan Akalbudi. PIX: FIKRI YAZID / MalaysiaGazette / 9 MARCH 2021
Former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi walks out of the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex after his corruption, power abuse and money laundering trial involving Yayasan Akalbudi. PIX: FIKRI YAZID / MalaysiaGazette / 9 MARCH 2021

By Kasthuri Jeevendran

KUALA LUMPUR – Former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has lodged a report, requesting the police to investigate viral messages that alleged that more criminal charges will be pressed against him.

His defence counsel, Datuk Hisyam Teh Pooh Teik revealed the police report during the proceeding on the corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving millions of ringgit of funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi foundation founded by Ahmad Zahid.

“We would like to get Your Honour’s attention on the recent viral messages, allegedly, a decision made by PPBM.

“We would like to dispute the sixth content in the message, which alleged that more charges will be pressed against our client.

“The defence has also lodged a police report about this and we want the authorities to investigate about the authenticity of the allegation.

“Both the accused and the defence have full confidence on Your Honour,” he said.

Among the content of the viral message alleged that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has requested all Division Leaders of Bersatu to get ready for the General Election (GE), which will be held between June and July this year.

Besides that, it also alleged that harsher charges will be pressed against senior leaders in UMNO, and will be used as ‘negotiation’ to soften the party.

The message also alleged that special teams will be set up to persuade UMNO to continue to stay with Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional in the coming GE.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) denied the dissemination of the information on the content of Bersatu’s Supreme Council Meeting on 4 March 2021, through WhatsApp and Facebook.

Its Secretary-General, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said that all information on the viral message are fake and untrue.

Besides that, the MP of Larut also said that the information distributed is not related to any Supreme Council Meeting that has taken place.

Ahmad Zahid is facing 47 counts of charges involving funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi. 12 of the charges involved criminal breach of trust, eight charges on corruption and 27 counts of charges on money laundering.

He is charged with money laundering for receiving millions ringgit of cheques from various quarters through Lewis & Co, where a big portion of the funds were used for fixed deposited under the name of the firm. –MalaysiaGazette

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