KUALA LUMPUR: Former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been slapped with 45 charges, including receiving RM21.25 million in bribes for several deals involving migrant workers, money-laundering involving RM72mil, and criminal breach of trust (GBT) while he was a home minister.
Dr Ahmad Zahid is accused of having misused RM20,833,132.99 belonging to the charity foundation Yayasan Akalbudi.
The former deputy prime minister and home minister allegedly committed the offences at Affin Bank Bhd at Jalan Bunus here between Jan 13, 2014 and Jan 11, 2016, the Star reported.
Dr Ahmad Zahid is also accused of receiving RM21,250,000 as bribes when he was Home Minister.
Accoding to the local media the bribes were allegedly from Syarikat Mastoro Kenny IT Consultant & Services as an inducement for the accused to assist the company obtain MyEG projects which is under the purview of the Home Ministry; Syarikat Data Sonic Group Bhd director Chew Ben Ben, with the company appointed to insert passport chips for five years or 12.5 million chips in Malaysian passports; and from Syarikat Profound Radiance Sdn Bhd director Azlan Shah Jaffril, with the company appointed as service provider of a one-stop visa centre for Pakistan and Nepal.
The offences were allegedly committed between Dec 7, 2016 and March 15 this year.
The charges under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 carry a jail term of up to 20 years and fine of not less than five times the sum of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Dr Ahmad Zahid is also accused of money laundering involving RM72mil, said to be proceeds from unlawful activities.
The charges under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 carry a jail term of up to 15 years and fine of not less than five times the sum involved or RM5mil, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Dr Ahmad Zahid, 65, released on RM2 million bail.
