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LIVE REPORTS
11.11am: Lokman Adam, the leader of the group, asks the crowd to sit down but not all comply.
He tells them not to provoke the authorities, saying that the party will be held responsible for any chaos.
“This gathering is meant to be a peaceful one. Do not cause any trouble. Back off!” he tells the crowd.
11.06am: An object is flung towards the police manning the gates of the court complex.
Supporters begin shouting at the police when one of the personnel attempts to identify and walk towards the person suspected of throwing the object.
11.02am: There is some pushing and shoving between the crowd and a team of police clad in riot gear in front of the gate.
11am: Authorities have blocked both the front gates of the Kuala Lumpur High Court after some of the supporters attempt to enter the complex.
The crowd, many clad in red shirts bearing Umno logo, start to become rowdy after they were prevented to follow former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin (photo, in green) and Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa into the complex.
10.50am: Zahid’s supporters, a crowd of about 200, begin shouting at the police, demanding to enter the court complex. Some start banging at the closed gate.
Police in riot gear begin preparing themselves.
10.30am: Justice Azura Alwi sets bail at RM2 million to be paid in two instalments – RM1 million today and the remaining to be paid in one week’s time, before Oct 26.
“There is no question of me according special treatment to anyone. Just to make myself clear,” she stresses.
In addition, Zahid is required to surrender his passport to the court. Justice Azura also sets Dec 14 as the next date of mention.
10.28am: Gopal Sri Ram asks for RM2 million bail and while defence lawyer Hisyam Teh describes the amount as “fair”, he applies for the amount to be paid in instalments of RM1 million today and the remaining RM1 million in two weeks.
Gopal Sri Ram argues that Zahid should not be given any special treatment.
“If the rule is applied across the board, the accused must post bail before release. There should be no exceptions.
“The accused should not be treated differently than any other accused who appeared before you,” Sri Ram tells the judge.
In response, Teh cites Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution that all persons are equal under the law. He also cites precedents set in the case involving former premier Najib Abdul Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor.
10.25am: The following is the breakdown in the 45 charges against Zahid – eight for abuse of power, 10 for criminal breach of trust and 27 for money laundering.
10.18am: The 26th money-laundering charge involves Zahid purchasing two bungalows in Hulu Langat, Selangor for RM5.9 million.
The 27th and final money-laundering charge is over Zahid putting RM6.89 million in fixed deposits.
Including the other charges, the total number of charges brought against Zahid is now 45.
10.15am: Zahid has so far claimed trial to 25 charges of money laundering and more charges are being read out in court.
The 25 charges involve a sum of RM59.3 million.
In court, Zahid stands facing Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi, sometimes looking at her, sometimes looking down.
Hands behind his back, he nods his head as the charges are read out.
10am: More charges are read in court. Zahid claims trial to another 11 charges for money laundering.
A total of 32 charges against Zahid have been recorded by the court so far.
9.53am: Former prime minister and Pekan MP Najib Abdul Razak, who was in the courtroom earlier, leaves the Kuala Lumpur courts complex.
Najib says his presence this morning was to give moral support to his former deputy, Zahid.
9.50am: Zahid claims trial to three additional charges of money laundering for ordering the banking in of RM3 million, RM3.8million and RM4.6 million, as fixed deposits.
9.45am: The 16th charge is for receiving a RM300,000 cheque to appoint a company as the operator of a one-stop centre in Pakistan and Nepal for the Home Ministry. This is believed to be in reference to the one-stop centres for the processing of migrant worker visas.
Read more: Nepali workers’ scam: The whos and hows behind it
The 17th and 18th charges are also in relation to the one-stop centres, and Zahid is accused of receiving cheques worth RM1 million and RM700,000 from the same company, Profound Radiance Sdn Bhd.
Charges 11 to 18 are all punishable under Section 24(1) of the MACC Act.
9.40am: The 13th charge against Zahid is for receiving 10 cheques worth RM5 million to help a company to secure a MyEG project.
The 14th charge is for receiving, as home minister, a RM5 million cheque from a Data Sonic Group Berhad director for the company to supply 12.5 million chips for Malaysian passports.
The 15th charge is for receiving another cheque of RM1 million from a Data Sonic director, again, in relation to the Malaysian passport chips.
9.35am: More charges are read in court. Zahid claims trial to seven additional charges of criminal breach of trust, bringing the total to 10 charges.
The 11th charge is over Zahid allegedly receiving RM250,000 in his capacity as home minister to help a consulting company get a MyEG project. The charge is punishable under Section 24(1) of the MACC Act.
The 12th charge is for receiving 13 cheques totalling RM8 million to help a company get a MyEG project.
9.25am: Charges are read before Justice Azura. Zahid claims trial to three charges of criminal breach of trust.
The first charge involves a sum of RM537,513 from Yayasan Akal Budi, while the second charge is over RM38,000. The third charge involves a sum of RM107,509.
9.21am: Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak walks into the courtroom and sits in the front row.
9.20am: Zahid enters the courtroom and takes the stand before Justice Azura Alwi.
Gopal Sri Ram introduces his team of prosecutors as well as defence lawyers.
9.15am: Outside the court complex, speeches continue with Umno firebrand Armand Azha describing today’s action against Zahid as a political conspiracy.
He leads the supporters to chant “Hipokrasi!”.
Many of the protesters unfurl blue BN umbrellas to shield themselves from the scorching sun.
8.50am: Zahid’s wife Hamidah Khamis and daughter Nurulhidayah are among family members seen in the courtroom.
Also there in a show of support are Umno deputy president Mohamad Hassan and other party leaders, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Ashraf Wajdi Dusuki, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, Khaled Nordin and Noraini Ahmad.
MACC deputy commissioner (operations) Azam Baki is among those in the public gallery.
Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi will preside over the hearing.
Former judge Gopal Sri Ram is leading the prosecution team, while lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik is Zahid’s chief counsel.
8.30am: Some 150 supporters of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who had been gathering in front of the Kuala Lumpur courts complex early morning start to congregate at the front gate.
Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam addresses the crowd. He says the action taken against Zahid was aimed at weakening the spirit of Umno members.
“What is happening to Datuk Seri Zahid today is to make Umno members feel weak because our president had been arrested and going to be charged with graft and money laundering.
“It is the same with the case against Datuk Seri Najib.”
Lokman claims that the government no longer practices rule of law, saying that Najib had been charged albeit authorities haven’t recorded any statement from SRC International director Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil.
“There is no rule of law, only rule of the jungle.
“The proof is all charges against Pakatan Harapan leaders had been dropped. Rafizi (Ramli), who was sentenced to 18 months for revealing a document under the Official Secrets Act, had his punishment changed to good behaviour bond.
“Did the attorney-general appeal against this decision? No, he didn’t. Who is the AG? Not Tommy Thomas. It is Tommy Tomato!” shouts Lokman, to the cheers of the protesters.
8.20am: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has arrived at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex where he is expected to face up to 45 charges.
Highly-placed MACC sources said Zahid will face charges related to welfare foundation to Yayasan Akal Budi, but also over other cases for gratification and money laundering.
However, the sources said the other charges are not related to 1MDB.
In July, the Bagan Datuk MP was questioned twice by anti-corruption agency MACC.
The first round of questioning concerned the alleged donation by the Saudi royal family to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, while the second round was in relation to Yayasan Akal Budi.
It was reported that RM800,000 had allegedly been misappropriated from the foundation to pay credit card bills for Zahid and his wife.
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