KUCHING, Sept 23: UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been acquitted of all 40 charges of corruption in connection with the foreign visa (VLN) system by the Shah Alam High Court today.
According to Bernama, Judge Mohd Yazid Mustafa ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
Zahid, who is the former home minister, has been charged with 33 counts of receiving bribes amounting to S$13.56 million from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd for himself as home minister to extend the contract of the company as the operator of a one-stop centre (OSC) service in China and the VLN system, as well as to maintain its contract with the home ministry to supply the VLN integrated system.
He pleaded not guilty.
For the other seven charges, he was alleged to have obtained for himself cash of S$1,150,000, RM3 million, 15,000 Swiss francs, and US$15,000 from the same company, which he knew had a connection with his official functions.
The seven charges were framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both upon conviction. — DayakDaily
