KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi filed an application at the High Court today to have his passport returned permanently to him.
In his affidavit, he said he was unable to carry out his role as deputy prime minister as he did not have access to the document.
The Umno president said he had received a mandate from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to represent him (Anwar) for government administrative matters.
He said for that reason, he needed to be present in and out of the country, which required him to have his passport ready.
The Bagan Datuk member of parliament said he also needed the document as a requirement to get a diplomatic passport for his duties.
"This application was made without any bad intention or prejudice to any parties.
"This application will also reduce any further similar application in the future.
"I will abide by all terms and condition set by the court."
Zahid said the court should consider his application because it would bring goodwill and continuity to the country's administration.
He stated this in his application to reclaim his passport, which was seized by the court after he was charged with multiple counts of corruption involving his foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB), a few years ago.
Zahid, 70, is facing 47 charges, including 12 for criminal breach of trust (CBT), eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving RM31 million of YAB funds.
For the 12 CBT charges, he 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 of 20 years' jail, whipping and a fine.
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