He took the witness stand on April 13.

Zahid was examined and re-examined by his lawyers and cross-examined intensely by the prosecution.

His lawyer Ahmad Zaidi Zainal applied today to judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah to release his client from the witness stand.

Another counsel in Zahid’s legal team, Hamidi Mohd Noh, told the court the number of defence witnesses had been reduced from 43 to 40, excluding Zahid.

Initially the defence had suggested only 20 witnesses but later said it would call about 43.

Lead prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran said the number was still a handful.

The judge asked, “Is it absolutely necessary to call all of them?”

Hamidi said they were all witnesses who could be dealt with, in a short time.

Sequerah then asked whether witness statements would be delivered to the prosecution in accordance with the law.

“We will hand over the statements to the prosecution 14 days before they take the stand,” Hamidi said.

Raja Rozela subsequently asked the court to fix more trial dates due to the number of witnesses who are scheduled to testify.

Zahid’s lead defence lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said additional dates need not be fixed at this juncture as these witnesses would not take too long to provide evidence.

“We should be able to complete the defence witnesses by November. There is no need for additional dates,” he added.

The court had fixed another 20 trial dates from Sept 19 to Nov 10.

The Umno president is standing trial on 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. Twenty-seven are for money laundering, 12 for CBT, and eight for corruption.