Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi failed in his application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court to get his passport back permanently so that he can carry out his official duties as Deputy Prime Minister, today (February 3).
According to a report by Sinar Harian, Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah said that the Federal Constitution stipulates that all individuals are equal before the law.
He added that the court does not give advantages or privileges according to the status of the community but instead puts the law at the top level.
“However, the court took note that he, as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister, has official duties to perform. These duties cannot overlap with his obligation to appear in court for case proceedings conducted in court,” he said.
Hence, for the sake of his duties, the court has allowed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development to apply for a temporary release for a diplomatic passport and once his matters are complete, he is required to return the passport to court.
His passport was previously submitted to court as an additional bail condition after he was charged with 47 counts of corruption, breach of trust and money laundering involving Akalbudi Foundation funds, which is currently in the defense stage.
Through an affidavit in support of the application, 70-year-old Ahmad Zahid said he had several constraints to carrying out his duties like other Ministers because he did not have access to his passport.
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