He had made the admission during a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probe four years ago.
The Umno president said he was only shown copies of cheques by the investigators and, at the time, he was not aware that a stamp carrying a replica of his signature was used on Yayasan Akalbudi cheques to settle the payments.
“What choice did I have? I was under duress then,” he said when cross-examined by deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran.
Zahid testified on May 23 that former aide, Major Mazlina Mazlan @ Ramly, had used the foundation’s (Akalbudi) cheques to pay for his credit card bills without his instruction, knowledge or agreement.
He had told the court that Mazlina had also used a stamp carrying a replica of his signature on Yayasan Akalbudi cheques to settle the bills.
Zahid said Mazlina, under cross-examination by his lawyers during the prosecution stage, had also admitted that she was negligent in handling Zahid’s credit card payments.
The Bagan Datuk MP had given three statements to the MACC in 2018.
Raja Rozela: You did not deny to investigators that Yayasan Akalbudi cheques were used to settle your credit card payments.
Zahid: Yes. At that time I was only shown copies of the cheques.
Raja Rozela: You were given the golden opportunity to deny that the foundation’s cheques were used to make credit card payments.
Zahid: Yes. What choice did I have? I was under duress then.
Raja Rozela: I put it to you that you did not tell MACC officers that you allowed Mazlina to use the stamp on Akalbudi cheques.
Zahid: I disagree.
Raja Rozela: I put it to you that you now want to shift the blame to Mazlina to save your neck.
Zahid: That is the fact (that Mazlina did it).
Zahid is standing trial on 47 charges of money laundering and 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.
Hearing before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah will continue on Monday.