UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was let off with a warning by the court after apologising about the alleged meeting with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin which led to his graft trial to be postponed, on Monday.
Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah said he did not find a case for contempt and accepted Zahid's explanation that it was a miscommunication in the use of sentence when submitting for postponement of trial.
“After hearing from the defense counsel and considering the application from the prosecutor, I agree that there may be misunderstandings between the instructions given by the accused and the defense attorney.
"I also take into account the apology from the accused. And what is more important is that the defense lawyer's promise that this will never happen again. I see no case to initiate contempt proceedings.
“As a general statement and warning, the court wants to make it clear that the court will not compromise the attempt to mislead. If there is information about attempts to mislead or insult, this court will not hesitate to impose a fine or jail sentence, ” he said.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid had failed to submit a letter he claimed to have received from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), arguing that no official appointment had been made for the position og Prime Minister's Political Secretary.
“I openly apologize for the confusion and misunderstanding, and I do not intend to 'mislead' this court. I have great respect for the Lord and I respect this court.
“I also want to explain the about letter; I have been in contact with the political secretary. But the letter could not be issued because there has been no official appointment to the officer, and no oath has been taken,” Zahid said.
Yesterday, Ahmad Zahid's hearing was adjourned after his lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik informed that his client had to attend a meeting on Cabinet formation with Muhyiddin.
However, the PMO issued a statement that no meetings were scheduled with political leaders and the court called on both sides at 4pm
Ahmad Zahid, 67. currently faces 47 charges, 12 of which involve breach of trust, eight bribes and 27 money laundering involving tens of millions of dollars of funds owned by the Akalbudi Foundation.
The trial before Justice Sequerah is ongoing.
Dania Zainuddin
Tue Mar 03 2020
Zahid apologises, court says no case for contempt. - Filepic
Nahas helikopter Lumut: Khidmat kaunseling diteruskan bergantung keperluan - Noraini
Hasil pemerhatian mendapati waris mangsa masih bersedih, namun kuat semangat untuk menerima kejadian yang menimpa ahli keluarga mereka.
TH tanggung lebih RM350 juta kos tunai haji tahun ini
Lembaga Tabung Haji menanggung lebih RM350 juta membabitkan kos menunaikan haji menerusi Bantuan Kewangan Haji pada tahun ini.
Mesyuarat Khas WEF, Perdana Menteri dan Pemimpin Dunia
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim akan menyampaikan ucapan dalam Sidang Plenari Pembukaan Mesyuarat Khas World Economic Forum (WEF) di Arab Saudi. Ikuti analisis menyeluruh bersama Penganalisis Ekonomi, Fithra Faisal Hastiadi; Ketua Pengarang Astro AWANI, @AshwadIsmail; dan Pengarang Niaga AWANI, @NajibAroff #BuletinAWANIKhas
Hubungan bilateral ASEAN tetap kukuh walaupun mungkin ada perbezaan- Anwar Ibrahim
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkata negara tiada masalah menjalin hubungan dengan anggota ASEAN sebagai satu kumpulan walaupun mungkin terdapat perbezaan. Beliau berkata demikian ketika bercakap di World Economic Forum pada Ahad.
Amang seksual: Inspektor polis akan ditahan kerja
Pegawai polis berpangkat inspektor yang ditahan selepas disyaki melakukan amang seksual fizikal terhadap seorang remaja dikenakan tindakan tahan kerja.
Pelaburan dari negara luar, negara harus menyahut cabaran baharu-Anwar Ibrahim
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yang bercakap di World Economic Forum pada Ahad mengakui bahawa dengan pelaburan daripada negara-negara luar, pelbagai cabaran yang baharu Kerajaan Malaysia harus sahut.
Sultan Terengganu kurnia darjah kebesaran kepada 104 individu
Sultan Terengganu berkenan mengurniakan Bintang-bintang Darjah Kebesaran Negeri Terengganu Darul Iman kepada 104 individu di Istana Syarqiyyah, hari ini.
WEF: Piawaian ekonomi mampan harus adil, saksama kepada negara membangun - Tengku Zafrul
Transisi ke arah ekonomi yang mampan harus dilaksanakna secara saksama dan adil, kata Menteri Perdagangam Pelaburan dan Industri Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Nahas helikopter Lumut: Raja Permaisuri Agong santuni keluarga Mohammad Amirulfaris
Raja Permaisuri Agong berkenan menyantuni keluarga Allahyarham Mohammad Amirulfaris yang terkorban dalam tragedi dua helikopter terhempas di Lumut.
Polis rampas dadah lebih RM2.3 juta, lelaki tempatan ditahan
Polis Johor merampas dadah bernilai lebih RM2.3 juta dalam dua serbuan berasingan di sekitar kawasan Johor Bahru Selatan pada Rabu lalu.