Judge Set To Visit Bungalows Purchased By Yayasan Akalbudi

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Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court ahead of the trial. -NSTP/ROHANIS SHUKRIKUALA LUMPUR: The High Court judge in Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's corruption trial will visit the RM5.9 million bungalows in Country Heights Rawang purportedly purchased by the Umno president's charity foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi.
This after Zahid's lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik invited judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah to make a site inspection.
The lawyer argued such a visit was necessary as the two properties had become an issue in Zahid's money laundering trial since its early stage.
"The visit will give a better and clear picture to the court on the bungalows' condition and its distance from Surau An-Nur," he said.
Deputy Public Proseuctor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran, however, objected to the request as several pictures of the disputed bungalows were already provided to the court during the trial.
"If the court wants to make a visit, maybe we can make it another time and not clash with the trial dates. We can arrange it (date) later," she said.
However, Sequerah said he agreed with Hisham's invitation and would fix a day for the visit later.
It was reported that Zahid donated RM5.9 million to his younger brother to buy the bungalows for his religious activities.
Prosecution witness Yayasan Al-Falah trustee Faisalludin Mohamat Yusuff, who is also the foundation lawyer, said Datuk Seri Mohamad Nasaee Ahmad Tarmizi (Zahid's brother) told him about the matter.
He said Nasaee - who was the chairman and founder of Yayasan Al-Falah, wanted to purchase two bungalows in Country Heights for religious activities.
"Nasaee then handed me a cheque of RM5.9 million issued by Lewis & Co. I did not ask him who is Lewis & Co.
"However, after some time, I asked him who was Lewis & Co. and he (Nasaee) said it was a contribution from Yayasan Akalbudi which is owned by Zahid.
Lewis & Co. has been identified as the trustee for Yayasan Akalbudi, from which Zahid is accused of having misappropriated funds.
Zahid, 69, has pleaded not guilty to a total of 57 charges, 12 of which are for criminal breach of trust, eight for bribery, and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
The trial continues. - NST

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