MACC questions ex-DPM on his 2015 meeting with a Saudi royal family member.
PUTRAJAYA: For about eight hours, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was questioned on his 2015 meeting with a Saudi royal family member.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission summoned the former deputy prime minister to assist in the ongoing probe into 1MDB.
He arrived at the MACC headquarters at 9.52am and left at 6.30pm yesterday.
“I just finished giving my statements related to the 1MDB investigation,” Dr Ahmad Zahid told reporters.
“They asked me about my meeting with a representative of the Saudi royal family.
“As I had spoken in 2015 on this meeting, I was required to explain it in detail. That is why it took a while,” he said.
On Aug 22, 2015, Dr Ahmad Zahid said he met the wealthy Arab family member, who donated US$700mil that was channelled into former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s personal account.
The newly-elected Umno president said 1MDB was a perception issue and that he was confident the truth would emerge once investigations had been completed.
When asked on the identity of the Saudi royalty he met, Dr Ahmad Zahid declined, saying: “I will only answer to the MACC.”
He thanked the officers for their professionalism, adding that he was given breaks to perform prayers.
His assistance was sought after Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor had their statements recorded over the issue.
On another matter, Dr Ahmad Zahid said he would return to the MACC again today in relation to investigations into an Islamic charity foundation, of which he is chairman.
According to reports, he would be asked to explain claims that RM800,000 from the foundation’s funds was used to pay off his and his wife’s credit cards.
Records showed that the foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi, was registered in 1997 and its role is to receive and administer funds to eradicate poverty.