PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal today rejected Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's application to consolidate his 12 criminal breach of trust (CBT) charges involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds into just three charges.
Judge Datuk Yaacob Md Sam, along with two other judges on the panel – Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah and Datuk Wira Ahmad Nasfy Yasin – ruled that there was no appealable error in the High Court's decision on Zahid's application.
They upheld the decision which was made by High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah at the start of Zahid's trial last year.
Earlier, Zahid's lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik argued that the 12 charges against his client were excessive and consolidating these into just three would suffice to cover everything the former deputy prime minister was accused of.
"We are not complaining that the charges were not clear. The crux of our complaint is that the approach taken by the deputy public prosecutor (DPP) is unfair.
"What can be done with three charges must be done with three, not 12," he said, adding that the framing of 12 charges against his client was prejudicial to Zahid.
However, DPP Ahmad Sazilee Abdul Khairi countered that the charges are not prejudicial to Zahid, and that the prosecution would have to adduce evidence before the court and prove the elements of all 12 charges.
Zahid is facing a total of 47 charges, including 12 for CBT, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
He is charged with CBT involving RM31.06 million, graft of RM21.25 million, and money laundering of RM72 million.
Zahid's trial will resume on July 3.