MACC to quiz ex-DPM over alleged misuse of funds

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will have to face graft investigators who will be calling him tomorrow to seek an explanation on the alleged use of funds belonging to a foundation.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Com­mission officers are also expected to take statements on his purported meeting with a member of Saudi Arabia’s royal family who is said to have donated money to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Highly-placed sources said the former deputy prime minister will be asked to explain allegations that funds from the foundation were used to pay off credit cards belonging to him and his wife amounting to RM800,000.

Dr Ahmad Zahid is the chairman of the foundation. Records showed the foundation was registered in 1997 and its role is to receive and administer funds to eradicate poverty.

“We will want to find out if there is any truth to these claims of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid using funds from the foundation for personal use,” a source told The Star.

It is understood that sources had found several documents showing payment transactions for him and his wife.

“Investigators will also be asking about a statement which he made about him meeting a Saudi prince. We would like to find out more about this person whom he is said to have met and what transpired during the meeting,” said a source.

On Aug 22, 2015 Dr Ahmad Zahid, who was speaking at the opening of Sri Gading Umno division, said that he had met the wealthy Arab family who donated US$700mil that was channelled into Najib’s personal account.

He said the family – who he did not name – had donated the money because of Malaysia’s commitment in fighting terrorism and being a moderate Muslim country with a plural society.

MACC top-level officers could not be contacted about Dr Ahmad Zahid’s appointment with them.