Despite being on medical leave, Zahid makes an appearance in a visa system corruption trial before the judge adjourns the case

Despite being on medical vacation due to cervical difficulties, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi appeared in court this morning for his corruption trial in the Foreign Visa System (VLN).

The Bagan Datuk MP had a medical operation last week to cure a neck issue and was instructed to rest, but he went to the hearing regardless.

Ahmad Zahid was present voluntarily, according to his lawyer Hamidi Mohd Noh, to demonstrate his "commitment" to uphold the judicial process and disprove suspicions that he was faking his illness because he could physically attend political party meetings but not his own trial.

“On his own initiative, my client attended today's court hearing to demonstrate to the court that he is not ignoring the court and the ongoing judicial procedure.

“Despite being on medical leave till this Friday,” Hamidi said, “he still showed there to show his uttermost commitment.”

However, Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa, a High Court judge, later vacated the trial for today and tomorrow and consented to a postponement.

He said he considered the accused's medical certificate from Avisena Specialist Hospital physician Dr Mohd Shahir Anuar, which said that Ahmad Zahid should be on medical leave until September 4 following his hospitalisation and subsequent medical treatment last week.

“The application by the defence for today's hearing to be postponed is accepted based on the hospital admission letter, medical certificate, and taking into account the judicial notice through a letter to court dated August 23.

The judge ruled, "As a result, court procedures scheduled for today and tomorrow's trial are vacated."