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KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The High Court was informed that Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was involved in the withdrawal of RM17.9 thousand from Yayasan Akalbudi funds for the purchase of shares, as well as to be placed as fixed deposits.
While showing the flowchart of the recall to the court on Friday (March 5), Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Investigative Officer Muhammad Fazli Zulkifli, 36, explained that out of the amount, RM8 was paid. 6 thousand to Ri-Yaz Assets. Sdn Bhd as a deposit for the purchase of shares with another RM9.3 thousand was placed as fixed deposits.
“The withdrawal of money from the Affin Bank account of Yayasan Akalbudi to transfer it to a Maybank account belonging to Messrs. Lewis & Co (the trustee of the foundation) was instructed by Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid,” said Muhammad Fazli upon reading his witness statement during examination. Chief by Deputy Prosecutor Ahmad Sazilee Abdul Khairi.
He said this on the 47th day of the trial of Ahmad Zahid, who faces corruption, abuse of power and money laundering charges involving millions of ringgit in funds from Yayasan Akalbudi.
The 93rd prosecution witness said that RM8.6 thousand was paid to Ri-Yaz Assets as a deposit for the purchase of 60% of the shares in the company owned by Tan Sri Rashid Abdul Manaf, by Ahmad Zahid’s daughter, Datuk Nurulhidayah.
“The RM8.6mil payment was made through the law firm Messrs Lewis & Co, to Ri-Yazz Assets after discussions between Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid, Datuk Nurulhidayah, Datuk Mohammad Shaheen Shah Mohd Sidek (director of Ri-Yaz Assets), Datuk Mat Noor Nawi (Chairman of Exim Bank) and Norzilah Mohamad (CEO of Exim Bank).
“Nurulhidayah was interested in acquiring Tan Sri Rashid’s 60% stake in Ri-Yaz Assets and had asked Exim Bank to restructure the company’s loan with Exim Bank, extend the loan period and remove the name of So Sri Rashid as guarantor replacing it with his (Nurulhidayah’s), “he said.
He said his investigations found that Ri-Yaz Assets had paid his arrears in the amount of RM8.3 thousand (US $ 2,058 thousand) to Exim Bank using money obtained from Lewis & Co to pay off the company loan he had taken to buy a hotel in Bali. Indonesia.
“There was a surplus due to the difference in the exchange rate from RM to USD at that time amounting to RM254,879.10. The money was returned to the law firm by check,” he said.
Muhammad Fazli said his investigations also found that Nurulhidayah was appointed a director of Ri-yaz Assets Sdn Bhd on January 27, 2017 to replace Abdul Rashid, who resigned as a director on the same date.
He said that Nurulhidayah later resigned as a director of the company on January 31, 2017. However, both parties, namely Rashid and Nurulhidayah, did not proceed with the share purchase agreement.
“After the suspension of the share purchase and sale agreement, Datuk Nurulhidayah and Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid requested that the money amounting to RM8.3 thousand be returned to Lewis & Co because it is Yayasan Akalbudi money,” he said.
The witness also said that his investigations found that Nurulhidayah did not have any position in Yayasan Akalbudi.
“At the time, Datuk Nurulhidayah was working as a marketing director with Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB),” he said while answering additional questions during Ahmad Sazilee’s chief examination.
Ahmad Zahid, 68, faces 47 charges, 12 of them for breach of trust (CBT), eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit of funds from Yayasan Akalbudi.
The trial before Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues Monday. – Bernama
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