Major Zaidi opts to remain silent, submissions set for Friday

KUALA LUMPUR: The military court of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has dismissed a request for the postponement of Major Zaidi Ahmad's trial while an application for a judicial review of the case is made at the High Court.
The five-member panel, presided by Col Saadon Hasnan, told the defence team that the case has been dragging on for far too long and that they have been ordered by the authorities not to delay it any longer to save on time and costs.
The defence, led by lawyer Nasar Khan Mirbas Khan, informed the panel the judicial review application was made on Dec 11 and debated that it would be irresponsible for them (military court) to continue with the trial as the application is still pending.
Nasar Khan said should it continue then the entire judicial review "would become academic" and as such the defence team cannot continue with the proceedings.
He added that the accused would also not participate in the trial.
At this point, panelist Major Khusairi Mohd Arshad asked the defence lawyer to clarify if the accused wanted to remain silent or not participate in the proceedings.
Nasar Khan responded that Zaidi will continue to remain silent without a witness, adding: "I think the court knows why."
The defence was immediately reprimanded by the panelist to not insult the military court and was told to withdraw his statement which he did.
At this juncture, Zaidi suddenly stood up to speak but was told by Saadon to sit down.
The court then adjourned for 15 minutes to deliberate on the application made to the High Court.
Upon returning, the panel ruled that both the defence and prosecution should prepare their final submissions and present it to the court on Friday.
Also on the panel were Lt-Col Zainurin Mohd Dom, Major Khairul Nizam Taib and Major S. Nadzeer Sallehuddin.
Zaidi, 45, an RMAF officer, pleaded not guilty to four accounts of violating the Malaysian Armed Forces Council's orders on the use of the indelible ink during the 13th general election (GE13) last year.
Zaidi, from RMAF's Butterworth air base, also pleaded not guilty to three other charges, namely for making a media statement without the Defence Ministry's authorisation, and sending two SMSes which were political in nature.
On the first and second charge, Zaidi is alleged to have issued a media statement on the indelible ink without the ministry's approval and going through military channels to voice his grievances.
He was alleged to have committed these offences at the compound of the Kepala Batas district police station on May 1, 2013.
Zaidi is also alleged to have sent two SMSes which were political in nature and/or seditious while on duty at the Butterworth air base on the same date.
The charges were made under Section 50(2) and Section 51 of the Armed Forces Act 1972.