Zahid Alone Ran Foundation S Affairs For 20 Years Court Told

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Former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (centre) attending court proceedings at the High Court today, surrounded by friends and supporters. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: Former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi personally managed the affairs of his foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi, for more than 20 years and did not call for a single annual meeting since its incorporation in 1997, the High Court was told.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Khairudin Kilau said this was based on information provided to investigators by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), the company secretary and former foundation trustees.
“Yayasan Akalbudi has never called any AGM (annual general meeting) since it was incorporated in 1997 until 2018. Datuk Seri (Zahid) managed Yayasan Akalbudi’s finance and operation matters,” he said.
Zahid faces 47 charges of money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving millions from Yayasan Akalbudi, and accepting bribes for various projects during his tenure as home minister.
Khairudin also said the other trustees were in the dark about Yayasan Akalbudi’s activities and how the foundation obtained its funds.
“Initially, Datuk Seri, along with Zulkifli Senteri and Mohd Samsuri Tun were the trustees when Yayasan Akalbudi was incorporated in 1997. However Zulkifli and Samsuri, along with company secretary Idris Kechek were later told to leave by the accused,” Khairudin said.
Subsequently, Khairuddin Tarmizi and Mohd Nabil Saleh replaced Zulkifli and Samsuri, while Mahinder Kaur became the company secretary.
The witness told the court that Zahid, Zulkifli, and Samsuri were initially signatories to Yayasan Akalbudi’s bank account.
“However on April 4, 2012 Datuk Seri instructed Mahinder to prepare a resolution making him the authorised signatory,” Khairudin added.
The witness said that after investigations, he found that Zahid had used Yayasan Akalbudi’s funds to pay his credit card bills and that of his wife Hamidah Khamis.
“Between Jan 13, 2014 and Jan 11, 2016 a sum of RM1.36 million from Yayasan Akalbudi was used to pay the credit card bills,” Khairudin added.
The hearing before High Court Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah will continue on March 18. - FMT

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