KUALA LUMPUR: A brief exchange of words erupted in Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's corruption trial when the Umno president became upset after he was bombarded with multiple questions by the prosecution today.
The former deputy prime minister lost his cool after Deputy Public Prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob pressed him on the RM2 million that he received in three cheques from Profound Radiance Sdn Bhd director Azlan Shah Jaffril.
Abdul Malik questioned why RM2 million which was purported as political donation was credited into Lewis & Co. bank account as the trustee for Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB) owned by the accused.
The prosecutor also asked Zahid to explain how the Home Ministry decided to appoint Profound Radiance to manage the One Stop Centre (OSC) work permit processing system for Pakistani and Nepali workers.
Zahid, who was upset with the line of questions, then told the High Court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah that he hoped Abdul Malik could become a minister to understand how the ministry works.
Malik: Who appointed Profound Radiance to manage the OSC system?
Zahid: It was based on previous decision made in a meeting.
Malik: Are you the one who made the decision to appoint Profound Radiance?
Zahid: Yes. Based on recommendations in previous meetings. I hope this DPP will one day become a minister to better understand the workings in a ministry.
Malik: I do not aspire to be one.
Zahid: Of course. You are not qualified.
This prompted Sequerah to intervene and asked Zahid to answer the question.
Zahid also clarified that he received RM2 million from Azlan as he said the money was a political donation.
However, Malik suggested that the money was not a political donation but a donation to a politician.
Zahid disagreed.
"As I said before, if I am a corrupt person, the donation would be made in my name personally but in this case, it was for YAB.
"A sincere person like me was charged and those who 'songlap' (corrupt) money are still at large. I feel this should not happen to me," he said.
Zahid, 69, 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 YAB.
The hearing continues.