KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 ― Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been slapped with an additional criminal breach of trust (CBT) charge over the alleged misappropriation of funds from charity foundation Yayasan Akalbudi, bringing the total charges against the former Deputy Prime Minister to 46.
The Bagan Datuk MP was accused of committing the offence during his capacity as a trustee of the foundation and of giving a loan to Armada Holdings Sdn. Bhd. through a sum of RM10 million entrusted to the foundation, punishable under Section 409 of the Penal Code.
The offence under Section 409 of the Penal Code is punishable with a prison sentence of between two and 20 years, a fine, and caning upon conviction.
He was alleged to have committed the offence at Affin Bank Berhad, Jalan Bunus, Off Jalan Masjid India on December 8, 2015.
Ahmad Zahid pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read in front of Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob.
Ahmad Zahid, who is currently Barisan Nasional chairman, also claimed trial to 10 amended charges from the previous 45 charges he was facing.
Today’s CBT charge is the 19th of eight corruption charges involving bribes received during his time as Home Minister and 10 CBT charges involving over RM20.8 million of funds belonging to Ahmad Zahid’s family-owned charity foundation.
The Umno president was earlier present at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex for case management after he was previously charged with a whopping 45 corruption, money laundering and criminal charges in October.
The case proceedings were adjourned to February 20 next year. No bail was imposed.
In October, Ahmad Zahid was released after paying a RM2 million bail.
Ahmad Zahid currently leads the list with the most charges to date against an Umno leader, followed by former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak with 39 charges.
