KUALA LUMPUR: The trial of former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi involving the misappropriation of millions of ringgit from charity foundation Yayasan Akalbudi had to be adjourned today as a key witness was on medical leave.
At the onset of the trial, deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Sazilee Abdul Khairi apologised to the court as his witness, Major Mazlina Mazlan was unable to make it to court today as she was under the weather.
Ahmad Sazilee said the 90th prosecution witness would be present on the next trial date, this Friday.
"We received a message from the witness via WhatsApp informing that she obtained an MC (medical certificate) today.
"We will hand the original copy of the MC on Friday. Hopefully she will be around on that day," he said.
Mazlina, 42, who was a former executive secretary to Ahmad Zahid was supposed to be cross-examined by the latter's counsel today.
Yesterday, she testified that she had used a stamp bearing Ahmad Zahid's signature on the cheques belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi to pay his credit card bills between 2014 and 2016.
She said Ahmad Zahid had asked her to stop using the charity foundation's cheques in early 2016 to pay his bills as it was rumoured that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had started an investigation, but the witness said she did not ask further about it.
In her testimony, Mazlina who is currently serving as a staff officer II in the National Task Force (NTF), said, she had asked for Ahmad Zahid's permission prior to using the stamp on the cheques.
Trial continues before High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
Ahmad Zahid was charged with 47 charges relating to criminal breach of trust (CBT), bribery and money-laundering involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
