The Bagan Datuk MP said this in his corruption trial when deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Raja Rozela Raja Toran asked him several “warm-up” questions as she began her cross-examination.
Zahid also agreed that the rule of law must be upheld, especially in the government’s efforts to fight corruption.
Raja Rozela: Do you think we must fight corruption?
Zahid: Yes.
Raja Rozela: Must the rule of law be applied irrespective if one is rich or poor?
Zahid: Yes.
Initially, Zahid was reluctant to give a straight answer until trial judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah asked him to do so.
“Your lawyers will re-examine you after the prosecution’s cross-examination,” he said.
Raja Rozela told the court that Zahid was crying political conspiracy over the charges he was facing.
Raja Rozela: Will an ordinary gardener make such a claim if he was charged with corruption?
Zahid: Well, a gardener who is an Umno division member may do so.
Zahid’s lead counsel, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, objected to the question.
The judge then stopped the DPP from pursuing that line of questioning, and asked her to leave it for submission.
Raja Rozela also asked Zahid whether he had read an Asian Wall Street Journal report making its rounds on social media which stated that Malaysia was the most corrupt country in which to do business.
“I read the headlines and glanced over the contents,” he replied.
Raja Rozela: Did you believe the report?
Zahid: The issue was between corruption index and perception. In this case it was about perception.
Raja Rozela said Zahid had alleged a conspiracy to frame unfounded charges against him but had not named anyone.
Zahid replied that this was being done behind the scenes.
Raja Rozela insisted, however, that the prosecution did not have a political motive when it framed the charges against the former deputy prime minister.
Zahid is standing trial on 47 charges of money laundering and criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving millions from Yayasan Akalbudi, and accepting bribes for various projects during his tenure as the home minister.
Twelve of the charges are for CBT, eight for corruption, and the remaining 27 for money laundering.
The hearing continues.