SHAH ALAM: Former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who was acquitted of 40 corruption charges involving the foreign visa system (VLN) contract, said he has had faith in the judiciary since “day one” of his trial.
“Alhamdulilah, I am extremely grateful,” he told reporters outside the courthouse.
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The Umno president went on to thank his lawyers, and said he was proud and appreciative of the work they had put in.
He also thanked his family and other Umno leaders who stood by him, adding that he had been “victimised” by the charges brought against him.
“I was vilified and embarrassed, but today I have been vindicated. The truth has prevailed,” he said.
Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin said the party was happy with the court’s finding and grateful.
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“It will make us all work harder to face the coming election,” he told FMT.
Zahid had been accused of 33 counts of receiving bribes amounting to S$13.56 million (RM42 million) from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) as the then home minister to extend the firm’s contract as the operator of a one-stop centre in China and the VLN system as well as to maintain a contract for the supply of the VLN integrated system.
He was also charged with seven other counts of obtaining for himself S$1.15 million, RM3 million, 15,000 Swiss francs and US$15,000 from the same company in connection with his official duties.
