KUALA LUMPUR (March 19): The prosecution's case in former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's criminal breach of trust (CBT), corruption and money laundering trial came to a close today after 99 witnesses testified in the trial, which began on Nov 18, 2019.

At the hearing here today before High Court Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran declared that the prosecution’s case was closed this morning after the defence and prosecution finished their examination on the prosecution’s last witness, who is Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigating officer Khairudin Kilau.

Raja Rozela told Sequerah that the prosecution had "prepared a list of 37 witnesses to be offered to the defence" should Zahid be called to defend his criminal charges before the court.

The witnesses offered to Zahid’s defence team include Zahid’s wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis and his daughter Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid besides his younger brother Datuk Seri Mohamad Nasaee Ahmad Tarmizi.

Also included in the list is Chuah Huei Jiun, who is Datasonic Group Bhd chief financial officer.

Sequerah had today subsequently set the dates for oral submissions from the prosecution and defence on June 28, 29, 30 and July 1 and 2 after lead defence lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik requested for written submissions to be done after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which falls in May this year.

Hisyam requested for written submissions to be done after Hari Raya Aidilfitri because documentation for the submissions is voluminous. 

Sequerah also set May 28 for the prosecution and defence to file their respective written submissions and set June 11 for the filing of primary submissions from both parties. 

The judge said today that once the submissions are complete, he will announce the date of his decision on whether Zahid will need to enter his defence against the CBT, corruption and money laundering charges.

According to Sequerah, if the prosecution is successful in proving a prima facie case against Zahid, who is also UMNO president, he will then be asked to enter his defence against the charges.

In legal context, the Latin phrase prima facie indicates a situation where this is enough evidence for a trial to proceed.

Zahid is facing 47 charges involving millions of ringgit belonging to his charity arm Akalbudi Foundation. 

Akalbudi Foundation is also known as Yayasan Akalbudi.

The 47 charges comprise 27 for money laundering, eight for corruption and 12 for CBT.