Mazlina Mazlan @ Ramly, who held the rank of major and was the former deputy prime minister’s executive secretary, said Zahid instructed her to use Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques to settle his card payments.
The prosecution’s 90th witness, who was re-examined by deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran, said Zahid had also authorised her to use a stamp bearing a replica of his signature for the cheques.
Mazlina said Zahid would also check credit card and bank statements of Yayasan Akalbudi before he authorised payment to be made.
Raja Rozela: The defence under cross-examination put it to you that the cheques were pre-signed. Is that true?
Mazlina: I disagree.
Raja Rozela: Why do you say so?
Mazlina: All cheques were signed by the accused in my presence. The payment for the credit card bills were made on his instruction.
Raja Rozela: Did you see him sign the cheques?
Mazlina: Yes, I witnessed it.
Raja Rozela: The defence said the accused did not use Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques to settle his credit bill. You replied in the negative. Why?
Mazlina: Zahid authorised me to use Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques.
Raja Rozela: Are you sure the accused asked you to use Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques to make payments?
Mazlina: Yes.
Raja Rozela: The defence also suggested to you that the accused did not allow you to use a stamp carrying a replica of his signature on Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques. Can you explain why you said “no”.
Mazlina: He gave me permission. At no time did he withdraw that approval.
Raja Rozela: The defence put it to you that you hid the credit card and bank statements from the accused. Why?
Mazlina: That is not correct. Every time I (used) Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques, I will accompany it with the statements.
During examination-in-chief two months ago, Mazlina had said Zahid gave her permission to use the stamp for the cheques.
Mazlina, who worked for Zahid from December 2011 to May 2018, said the stamp was used when Zahid was out of his office, attending meetings or overseas.
The witness said she used the stamp to sign the cheques as she was worried the bank would block the transactions of Zahid and his wife, Hamidah Khamis, especially when they were overseas.
She said she only used Yayasan Akalbudi’s cheques to make the credit card payments and not Zahid’s personal cheques as there was no directive from him.
Zahid is facing 12 charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT), eight of corruption and 27 of money laundering involving RM117 million belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
The hearing before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues.