KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's corruption trial for misappropriating funds from his foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB), was cut short today as the prosecution wanted to challenge an "irrelevant" statement by a defence witness.

Lead prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran told the High Court that certain parts of Major-General (Retired) Datuk Fadzlette Othman Merican Idris Merican's witness statement should be expunged as it is unrelated to the trial.

Rozela raised the issue at the start of the Umno president's trial where Fadzlette, who was Zahid's press secretary, was scheduled to testify as the second defence witness in her former boss' trial before judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah.

Fadzlette had touched on Zahid's former executive secretary, Major Mazlina Mazlan @ Ramly, and Rozela wanted these parts expunged.  

Rozela said the statement was aimed at damaging Mazlina's character as she was a key prosecution witness.

She said Mazlina's credibility had been challenged during the defence's cross-examination.

"That part should be excluded on the grounds of it being irrelevant and inadmissible because of collateral facts.

"Her credibility (Mazlina) is not the main issue here as the trial should revolve around the charges against the accused."

She said Fadzlette's statement in court was a secondary issue as it did not touch on the facts.

Zahid's lead counsel, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, however, said the defence needed more time to reply to the prosecution's argument and asked the trial to be adjourned.

The court agreed.

Zahid, during the earlier stage of his trial, had blamed Mazlina for YAB's mess.

The defence described Mazlina as incompetent, careless and negligent.

The defence said Mazlina, who managed Zahid's financial affairs, had made errors by making overpayments and underpayments from the foundation's account.

Zahid, 69, is facing 47 charges, including 12 for criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving RM31 million of YAB funds.

For the 12 CBT charges, Zahid is alleged to have used the funds to make payments for personal credit cards, insurance policies and licences for his personal vehicles, remittances to a law firm and contributions to the police football association.

The charge carries a maximum 20 years' jail, whipping and fine.