Court to summon Zahid’s doctor as judge seeks to avoid further delays in graft trial

The Kuala Lumpur High Court today said it would call Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s doctor to explain his condition after his lawyer confirmed that he would be unable to attend his corruption trial as he had been admitted to hospital.

Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah said the doctor would be subpoenaed to explain the procedures Zahid would require as well as to provide an estimate of his recovery time.

“The court cannot allow further delays,” he said as reported by Utusan Malaysia.

Zahid is facing 40 corruption charges in connection with the foreign visa system.

His trial, postponed twice due to the movement control order, was to resume tomorrow at the Shah Alam High Court.

He had been due in court in Kuala Lumpur today for final submissions at the end of the prosecution’s case against him.

His lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik earlier confirmed to MalaysiaNow that Zahid would not be attending court tomorrow.

According to Utusan, he said Zahid would be undergoing a spinal procedure after suffering a fall.

Meanwhile, Zahid’s daughter in a video post on Facebook hit out at those whom she said were spreading rumours that he was in hospital to avoid his court case.

Nurulhidayah said she had recorded Zahid being wheeled to the operating theatre as she knew it would provide proof to the public when needed.

“My guess was correct,” she said. “My father wasn’t even done in the OT when slanderous news began spreading that he is ‘resting’ in hospital to avoid his court case!

“It doesn’t make sense,” she added. “You can’t fake pain like this.”