‘I am OK, everything is OK’

Session’s over: Nurulhidayah leaving the MACC HQ in Putrajaya.

PUTRAJAYA: Family members of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi are also under investigation over the alleged use of funds belonging to a foundation.

The former deputy prime minister’s daughter Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid and his brother Datuk Seri Mohamad Nasaee Ahmad Tarmizi were grilled by anti-graft investigators yesterday.

Despite denying to reporters that she was questioned, MACC confirmed that Nurulhidayah and Mohamad Nasaee were indeed there to be interrogated.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed that the two were called in to give their statement.

“We are done questioning them, for now,” he said, adding that Zahid would have to return for questioning today.

Yesterday was the second time that Dr Ahmad Zahid was called up for questioning on the Yayasan Akal Budi case.

On July 3, he was asked to explain claims that RM800,000 belonging to the foundation was used to pay off credit card bills.

Dr Ahmad Zahid is the chairman of the foundation set up by his family to receive and administer funds to eradicate poverty and for Islamic education.

The Umno president and Bagan Datuk MP arrived at the MACC headquarters at 9.20am in a white SUV, followed by Nurulhidayah about 10 minutes later.

It was however not known when Mohamad Nasaee arrived. Adhering to Dr Ahmad Zahid’s call to his supporters not to gather outside, only a handful of them were seen in the vicinity. They left as soon as Dr Ahmad Zahid walked into the building.

Nurulhidayah exited the building through the back door at 4.50pm and when asked if she was questioned, she replied: “No, I am just here to accompany him.”

At 5.40pm, some eight hours after he arrived, Dr Ahmad Zahid left the MACC building.

“I’m OK, everything is OK,” he told reporters.