KUALA LUMPUR – The High Court was told that the former Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was never promised the immunity from being prosecuted in his corruption, criminal breach of trust and money-laundering trial involving the funds of Yayasan Akalbudi.
The immunity the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP), Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran meant was to be exempted from being charged after he gave his statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
According to the DPP, immunity would not be granted if the investigation found that an offence was committed by the individual who gave the statement.
He further explained that the accused cannot demand for immunity merely because he has given his statement to the MACC on the case.
“Your Honour, Subsection 30 (7) of the MACC Act does not provide immunity.
“The exemption is only granted at the discrepancy of the prosecution, to assist certain individuals who assist in the investigation. It is only applied on individuals who reveal confidential information or documents that can be taken civil or criminal actions.
“Among the objectives of this subsection is to encourage the witnesses to cooperate by disclosing information and documents to the MACC,” he said, while starting his final arguments before High Court Judge, Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
Raja Rozela further argued that the accused’s request to get immunity from the High Court should not be accepted as the criminal charges and demands cannot be applied as a form of defence.
The proceeding is scheduled to resume tomorrow.
Ahmad Zahid, 69, is facing 47 counts of charges involving 12 counts of criminal breach of trust, eight counts of corruption and 27 counts of money laundering involving millions of Ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi. -MalaysiaGazette
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