Zahid’s lead counsel, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, who applied for the postponement of the trial, informed trial judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah that the appellate court will hear the appeal on Nov 14.

“The ruling will assist the defence in the sequence and number of witnesses to be called,” Hisyam said.

On May 9, Sequerah dismissed Zahid’s application to obtain statements from 15 witnesses on grounds of public policy and public interest.

The judge said investigating officer Khairudin Kilau had stated in an affidavit his view that any disclosure will prejudice and compromise public interest because such witness statements were made in the belief and expectation that they will remain confidential.

Zahid wanted sight of statements given by the prosecution witnesses who have been offered to the defence.

Another reason advanced by Hisyam for the postponement was that two defence witnesses from Bagan Datuk were unable to be present in court today and tomorrow.

The trial was originally set to continue on Nov 9 and 10.

“We seek that the hearing dates be vacated. We are prepared to take additional dates to complete the trial,” he said.

Deputy public prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob said he left it to the court to decide on the request.

Sequerah accepted the reasons given by the defence and allowed the adjournment.

The hearing will resume on Jan 16 until Jan 19, Jan 30 and 31, Feb 7 to 9, March 27 to 30, April 10 to 13 and May 15 to 18.

Hisyam expressed confidence the defence would be able to close its case with a total of 21 days fixed between January and May.

The defence has called six witnesses so far.

Zahid is accused of 47 counts of money laundering and criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving millions of ringgit 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.