Zahid: I’ll be transparent

File photo of acting Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) says he will be “transparent” when questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

He is expected to be hauled up over a foundation run by his family and those related to 1Malaysia Deve­lopment Bhd (1MDB).

“I do not know what questions I will be asked, but I will fully cooperate with MACC.

“I will be transparent in my explanation,” he told a press confe­rence at Putra World Trade Centre yesterday.

When asked whether his meeting would touch on the frozen accounts of political parties linked to 1MDB, he said MACC had sought information on several issues.

This included his family’s foundation, set up for Islamic charitable purposes with personal donations from him and close friends.

“The foundation does charitable work such as building mosques, tahfiz schools and orphanages,” he said.

It was reported that Dr Ahmad Zahid would be asked to explain claims that RM800,000 in foundation funds was used to pay off credit cards belonging to him and his wife.

He 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.

MACC is also expected to take his statement about a purported meeting with a member of Saudi Arabia’s royal family, who is said to have donated money to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

On Aug 22, 2015, Dr Ahmad Zahid, who was speaking at the opening of the Sri Gading Umno division, said he had met the wealthy Arab family who donated US$700mil (RM2.8bil) that was channelled into the former prime minister’s personal account.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed that Dr Ahmad Zahid would have his statement recorded for two separate cases at the MACC office in Putrajaya today.

“He was contacted on June 27 and told to be present at the MACC headquarters at 10am to have his statement recorded,” Azam said in a media statement.

On a separate matter, Dr Ahmad Zahid said Umno appealed to MACC for leeway to release some money from the party headquarters’ bank account to pay the salaries of staff, rental and overheads.

This was to ensure the financial welfare of staff with families, he said.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the party had sent a letter to MACC.

“We do not want to withdraw all (the money), but we want to be allowed to withdraw a certain amount to run the party.

“We have staff who are paid a sa­lary of RM2,000 to RM3,000 a month,” he told repor­ters at a Hari Raya event with the Putrajaya Umno Wanita, Youth and Puteri members.