Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has filed an application at the High Court to have his passport permanently returned to him, to enable him to carry out his official duties as deputy prime minister.
His passport was surrendered to the court as an additional bail condition after he was charged with 47 counts of corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering linked to Akalbudi Foundation funds, the proceedings of which are now at the defence stage.
In an affidavit in support of the application, Zahid, 70, said the application was bona fide (in good faith), and only meant to apply for permission for a passport so that he could carry out his official duties.
Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, said he had faced some constraints in carrying out his duties like other ministers as he does not have access to his passport.
“As the deputy prime minister, I have received the mandate and responsibility from the 10th prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, to represent him in several administrative matters,” he said, having filed the notice of application, along with the supporting affidavit, at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, on Jan 20.
