Malaysia court rejects UMNO president Ahmad Zahid’s bid to halt problem trial proceedings

KUALA LUMPUR: Former mouthpiece prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has failed in his application to halt the proceedings of his corruption plus money laundering demo.

High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah upon Monday (Jul 4) dismissed Ahmad Zahid’s application to stay the particular court proceedings, pending the outcome of his appeal to obtain witness statements recorded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Malaysian media reported that Ahmad Zahid, who may be United Malays Nationwide Organisaiton (UMNO) president and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, filed the application in the Court of Appeal upon Jun 23.

The Bagan Datuk member of parliament experienced applied for a remain of proceedings in order to postpone the prosecution’s cross-examination of your pet, pending the outcome of his appeal to obtain 11 witness claims recorded by the MACC.    

In dismissing the application on Monday, the particular judge said that Ahmad Zahid would not be denied a fair test if his trial was to move forward at this stage, reported Malay Mail.

“After hearing submissions associated with both parties, this court is of the view that the accused will not be prejudiced during the cross-examination, because he has the liberty to interview the offered witnesses, a number of whom are loved ones and acquaintances, ” the judge has been quoted as saying by Malay Email.

Ahmad Zahid’s application to obtain the claims of the 11 witnesses was first rejected by Judge Sequerah on May 9, at the grounds that the claims were made in the belief that they will remain private.    

Any disclosure would certainly prejudice and compromise public interest, the judge was cited as saying with the Star.  

“They (the witnesses) can be subject to intimidation and, for example , become coerced to go away from what is in the statements, ” he or she added.  

Read more on: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/umno-zahid-hamidis-bid-halt-proceedings-2788461