PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has fixed March 18, next year, to hear the prosecution's appeal against the acquittal of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi from 40 charges of corruption in connection with the Foreign Visa System (VLN).
A source close to the case said the appellate court fixed the date during the case management proceeding before court deputy registrar Muhammad Noor Firdaus Rosli today.
"The court also fixed Jan 29 for the next mention so the prosecution can update the court on the status of Zahid's representation," the source said when contacted.
On Sept 18, the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) told the court that it has yet to decide on the deputy prime minister's representation letter to review the prosecution's appeal against his acquittal.
In September last year, the Umno president was freed by the Shah Alam High Court of all 40 charges of receiving bribes from a company to extend its VLN contract.
High Court judge Datuk Yazid Mustafa ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the deputy prime minister.
He said witnesses who testified against Zahid were not credible or trustworthy, and their testimony could not be relied on.
Subsequently, on Dec 29, the prosecution filed a petition of appeal against the High Court's ruling by listing 15 grounds why the Appellate Court should reverse Zahid's acquittal and order him to enter his defence.
Zahid had been accused of 33 counts of receiving bribes amounting to S$13.56 million (RM42 million) from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd between 2014 and 2018 as home minister to allow the company to continue their contract for the VLN and a one-stop centre in China.
The Umno president was also charged with seven other counts of obtaining S$1.15 million, RM3 million, 15,000 Swiss francs and US$15,000 from the same company.
Eighteen prosecution witnesses were called to testify in the trial, which started on May 24, 2021.
