The High Court in Kuala Lumpur today upheld the Sessions Court’s decision to acquit and discharge former Immigration Department director-general Wahid Md Don of accepting a bribe of RM60,000 to expedite visa approvals for Bangladeshi workers.

Judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah made the decision after rejecting an appeal by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against the Sessions Court’s decision on Oct 15, 2010.

Mohamed Zabidin in his judgment said the Sessions Court judge was not wrong in acquitting and discharging the accused.

“I agree with the Sessions Court that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case,” he said.

Wahid, 59, was charged with accepting the bribe from a businessman, Low Chang Hian, to expedite approval of 4,337 calling visas for Bangladeshi workers.

He was alleged to have committed the offence at his house at Jalan Lembah Ledang, Off Jalan Duta, at 10.15 on July 10, 2008.

In the trial which began on Aug 17, 2009, the prosecution called 40 witnesses, including former Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, Low and several foreign workers’ agents.

The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutor (MACC) Abdul Razak Musa while Wahid was represented by V Sithambaram.

- Bernama