KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today allowed Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's corruption trial to end earlier than usual as the Umno president needs to attend Parliament sitting.
Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah made allowed Zahid's application for the early adjournment before the start of the trial.
Earlier, at the onset of today's hearing, Zahid's lawyer Hamidi Mohd Noh said he received a letter from Dewan Rakyat secretary Dr Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin about his client's attendance.
"Zahid needs to attend the sitting to vote for the deputy speaker's position which is expected to be held at about 12.30pm.
"We hope the court can end today's proceedings earlier to allow my client to attend Parliament," he said.
Deputy public prosecutor Gan Peng Kun did not object to the application.
The 68-year-old Member of Parliament for Bagan Datuk is accused of putting RM3.8 million alleged to be proceeds of an unlawful activity into 25 different fixed deposits accounts maintained by Lewis & Co.
He is also accused of purchasing two bungalow lots worth RM5.9 million involving proceeds of an unlawful activity and using up RM7.5 million of the foundation funds.
The offences, under Section 4(1) of the AMLA Act carries a maximum 15 years jail and fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the proceeds of an unlawful activity or RM5 million, whichever is the higher.