KUALA LUMPUR - Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he accepted the High Court's decision which ordered him to enter his defence on 47 criminal breach of trust (CBT), corruption and money laundering charges involving tens of millions of ringgit of funds from his charity foundation Yayasan Akalbudi.
Outside the court, the former deputy prime minister said he was ready to take the stand to give his side of the story.
"Personally, we will concur with the judge's decision and will continue to do so on the day I enter my defence.
"My defence team will carry out their duty accordingly. The trial dates have been set and of course, we accept this in line with the existing laws," he told reporters after the verdict was delivered by judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, earlier today.
Zahid arrived at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex at about 9am today.
Supporters of the Umno president were seen gathering at the vicinity of the court's complex since 7.30am to show their support.
Earlier, Sequerah had ordered Zahid to enter his defence on all the charges after finding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case.
Upon hearing the verdict, the Bagan Datuk MP, who served as the deputy prime minister from 2015 to 2018, elected to give evidence under oath.
The court then fixed 39 days for trial at the defence stage, with Zahid being the first to testify.
The trial dates are from April 26 to 28, May 23 to 26, June 27 to 30, July 4 to 7, Aug 22, 23, 29,30, Sept 19 to 22, 26 to 29, Oct 17 to 20 and 31, and Nov 1 to 3, and 7 to10.