KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has no connection with the ongoing investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) concerning the discovery of large sums of cash and gold bars at an individual's home, says Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
The Umno secretary-general emphasised that the party takes any attempt to link it to the investigation seriously and insisted that the MACC should be allowed to proceed without interference.
"The party firmly believes that MACC should be allowed to conduct its investigation transparently, independently, and fairly, without any interference," he said in a statement on Thursday (March 6).
He also warned that Umno will not hesitate to take legal action against any party attempting to associate the party with the case.
"Umno has made it clear that it will not hesitate to take legal action against any party that deliberately connects, accuses, or creates the perception that the party is involved in the case under investigation," added Asyraf.
Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said the MACC probe involved an "individual" and had nothing with the coalition or Umno.
"We have not heard anything as such. As has been said, the issue involves an individual and has no connection to the party
"We have explained that this issue is related to an individual. Let due process go on as the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) said,", said Zambry, who is also Higher Education Minister and an Umno supreme council member at a press conference in Parliament on Thursday (March 6).
On March 3, the MACC stated they would record former prime minister and former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's statement regarding his asset declaration and the cases under investigation.
The meeting between the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Ismail Sabri is expected to be held on Friday (March 7).
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki stated that MACC now views Ismail Sabri as a suspect, not just a witness.
On Sunday, the MACC revealed that around RM170mil in foreign currency and 16kg of gold worth nearly RM7mil were seized from "safe houses" following investigations into four senior officers who served under Ismail Sabri.
The foreign currencies seized included Thai baht, Saudi riyal, British pound, Korean won, euro, Swiss francs, and Chinese yuan.
