The prosecutors handling Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's corruption case suggested he ordered part of the fixed deposit amounting to RM17.9 Million belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi to be issued for the purpose of helping his daughter purchase shares in a company that owns a boutique hotel in Bali, Indonesia.
This was confirmed by Tan Sri Rashid and Group Managing Director, Datuk Seri Mohd Shaheen. Deputy Public Prosecutor, Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran argued that Zahid Hamidi ordered specific instructions for all the money from Akalbudi's seven fixed deposit accounts to be withdrawn before transferring it by bank check to the law firm Lewis & Co, which allegedly is not even a client.
"The transfer was made under the pretext of an investment by Akalbudi, but from the line of questioning, we now know the real purpose was in fact to help his daughter to buy a hotel in Bali," said Datuk Raja Rozela.
Ahmad Zahid's lawyers have previously suggested that the money used was meant as an investment by the charitable foundation, in which Raja Rozella said, "how does running a boutique hotel in Indonesia help the poor people in Malaysia?"
Zahid Hamidi is currently facing 47 charges involving 12 charges of breach of trust, eight charges of corruption, and 27 charges of money laundering amounting to millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
Perhaps some politicians need to re-visit the actual meaning of the word "charity"?
Source: Malay Mail
