Prosecution: Fact that Zahid asked for money shows he acted beyond function of a minister
The fact that former deputy prime minister and then home affairs minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had asked for cash shows he had acted beyond his function in taking care of the ministry, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran said on Tuesday (Sept 6).
(The Edge Markets) – She said this also showed that Zahid had abused his authority and position to ask for money and that it was in Singapore dollars.
Raja Rozela said two witnesses from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) had testified about giving the cash money delivered in packages to Zahid’s official residence in Seri Satria and his private residence in Country Heights, Kajang.
“Ahmad Zahid did not make any attempts to return the money. This showed the element of graft had been proven when he obtained something that was valuable in consideration,” she added.
The prosecution was submitting at the close of the prosecution case before High Court judge Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa.
Raja Rozela, who is the deputy head of Prosecution II at the Attorney General’s Chambers, said that to prove the element of graft, the prosecution has to prove that Zahid is a public servant, he had obtained something valuable, he obtained it without consideration, and he obtained it in connection with his official business.
She said evidence from the prosecution witnesses had shown there was preferential treatment accorded to UKSB, such as Home Ministry immigration division’s former secretary Datuk Shahril Ismail’s testimony that while it was common for Shahril to bring documents to Zahid’s house, that was the first time he had seen a stakeholder (UKSB) at a minister’s house.
