Hanoi (VNA) – Former Deputy Prime Minister of MalaysiaAhmad Zahid Hamidi on June 26 was hit with seven fresh corruption charges overa foreign visa system.
Ahmad Zahid, who previously faced 47 counts of corruption, pleadednot guilty to all the counts during a court appearance in Kuala Lumpur and wasfreed on bail.
The new charges relate to 4.24 million SGD (roughly 3.13 millionUSD) that he allegedly received in kickbacks fromUltra Kirana Sdn. Bhd. between March 28, 2017 and March 2, 2018 to extend thecontract of Ultra Kirana, which operates a one-stop centre in China and foreignvisa system.
He faces a maximum of 20 years in jail and a fineworth five times the amount of the bribe.
Azam Baki, Deputy Chief Commissioner of theMalaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said Ahmad Zahid is expected to be slappedwith 33 other graft charges over the foreign visa system at the Shah AlamSessions Court on June 27.-VNA