KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution in Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's corruption case today zoomed in on the purchase of two bungalows near Country Heights in Rawang by the Umno president's charity foundation Yayasan Akalbudi.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Harris Ong Mohd Jeffery Ong pressed the former deputy prime minister to justify how the purchase of two premises totalling RM5.9 million in an "elite" residential neighbourhood could be said to be charitable.
However, Zahid reiterated that the bungalows were meant for religious activities such as tahfiz school and surau for the people.
"I do not want to brag, but my house in the same neighbourhood is bigger than these two bungalows.
"The bungalows were purchased below the market price of RM12 million," he said when cross-examined by Harris.
It was reported that the bungalows were purchased by Yayasan Al-Falah owned by Zahid's brother Datuk Seri Mohamad Nasaee Ahmad Tarmizi.
Zahid, through Yayasan Akalbudi, had donated RM5.9 million to Nasaee to buy the bungalows.
Harris: Why did you decide to invest RM5.9 million to buy these two bungalows?
Zahid: Why do I need to buy anywhere else? I live nearby, so it will be easy for me to monitor the tahfiz (bungalows).
Before the court was adjourned for lunch, Zahid's lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik invited judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah to make a site inspection.
The lawyer argued such a visit was necessary as the two properties had become an issue in Zahid's money laundering trial since its early stage.
"The visit will give a better and clear picture to the court on the bungalows' condition and its distance from Surau An-Nur," he said.
However, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran objected to the request as several pictures of the disputed bungalows were already provided to the court during the trial.
"If the court wants to visit, maybe we can make it another time and not clash with the trial dates. We can arrange it (date) later," she said.
However, Sequerah said he agreed with Hisham's invitation and would later fix a day for the visit.
The Umno president also said he did not check the funds he received for Yayasan Akalbudi as it was meant for charity.
He said this includes RM7 million from two businessmen – textile trader Junaith Asharab Md Shariff and goldsmith Mubarak Hussain Akhtar Husin – who donated RM5 million and RM2 million, respectively.
"I received it in good faith, and those individuals are not members of secret societies or unlawful organisations.
"This also includes integrity… I cannot question their intention to donate. All monies were credited into Yayasan Akalbudi's account," he said.
Zahid, 69, has pleaded not guilty to a total of 57 charges, 12 of which are for criminal breach of trust, eight for bribery, and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
Hearing continues.