KUALA LUMPUR (May 22): Former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's second graft trial involving 40 charges in relation to the foreign visa system (VLN) will begin on Monday with 15 prosecution witnesses scheduled to testify.

Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran, Deputy Head II of the Prosecution Division at the Attorney-General's Chambers, when contacted by The Edge, confirmed that the trial will take place at the High Court in Shah Alam before Justice Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa.

“There will be an opening statement by the prosecution,” said Raja Rozela, who is expected to lead the prosecution in the trial.

The hearing is set for 16 days on May 24, 25 and 27, and June 1-3, 14-8 and 21-25.

Zahid, 68, has claimed trial to 33 counts of receiving S$13.56 million in bribes from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd as an inducement for himself in his capacity as a civil servant — being the home minister at the time — to extend the firm's contract as the operator of the one-stop centre (OSC) in China and the VLN system, as well as to maintain the agreement to supply VLN integrated system paraphernalia to the same firm by the ministry.

The Umno president and MP for Bagan Datuk allegedly committed the offences at the deputy prime minister's official residence in Seri Satria, Precinct 16, Putrajaya and his private residence in Country Heights, Kajang, between October 2014 and March 2018.

The charges are framed under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. The punishment for the offence, as provided for by Section 24(1) of the Act, is a maximum of 20 years' jail and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification under

Zahid has also pleaded not guilty to 33 alternative charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code for allegedly receiving bribes amounting to S$13.56 million, as the home minister, in relation to the VLN system between 2014 and 2017.

For another seven charges, Zahid is accused of accepting S$1.15 million, RM3 million, €15,000 and US$15,000 in cash from the same firm which he knew had a connection with his function as then home minister.

He was charged with committing the offences at Country Heights, between June 2015 and October 2017, under Section 165 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum jail term of two years or a fine, or both, if found guilty.

Raja Rozela also led the prosecution in Zahid's first trial, involving 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering. The prosecution had concluded its case at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur on March 19, after 99 witnesses had testified.

Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah has fixed June 28 to 30 and July 1 and 2 for oral submissions, after which he will decide whether Zahid must enter his defence.