Umno supreme council to convene if Zahid arrested

KUALA LUMPUR: In anticipation of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's arrest by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Umno says that his position as party president is at the hands of the Supreme Council.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said a Supreme Council meeting will be called if Dr Ahmad Zahid himself confirms that he has been arrested on Thursday (Oct 18).

"I haven't spoken to Dr Ahmad Zahid and cannot confirm what has been reported, I only read what Datuk Lokman Noor Adam posted on social media. We will wait and see," said Mahdzir.

In a media statement on Wednesday, Lokman said the MACC had served Dr Ahmad Zahid with a notice to be present at the MACC headquarters at around 3pm on Thursday (Oct 18).

Lokman also said that Dr Ahmad Zahid is expected to be charged the following day. 

Meanwhile, Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said that he believed that the action by MACC on the party president would not ruin Umno’s position. 

However, he also said that Dr Ahmad Zahid's fate has to be decided by the Umno Supreme Council. 

"The Supreme Council must weigh all matters that arise following the action by MACC. I think it is better for us to wait for tomorrow and see what's the outcome," the Gua Musang MP said.  

While speculation is rife that Dr Ahmad Zahid will be arrested, MACC officials are tight-lipped on the issue.

He has been called four times to answer questions on the alleged misappropriation of Yayasan Akal Budi funds.

Dr Ahmad Zahid is the chairman of the foundation set up by his family to help eradicate poverty and provide for an Islamic education.

MACC is investigating claims that RM800,000 belonging to the foundation was used to pay off credit card bills.

He was first called up on the Yayasan Akal Budi case on July 3.