‘Supreme council will decide on Zahid’s fate as president’

KUALA LUMPUR: Pending Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s arrest by the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC), Umno said his position as party president lies in the hands of the supreme council.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said if Dr Ahmad Zahid is arrested today, a supreme council meeting would be called.

“I haven’t spoken to Dr Ahmad Zahid and cannot confirm what has been reported. I have only read what was posted on social media.

“We will wait and see. If there is confirmation (from MACC) and from Zahid, then we will call for a meeting in a few days,” Mahdzir, who is also Padang Terap MP, told reporters at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

In a media statement earlier, Datuk Lokman Noor Adam said MACC had served Dr Ahmad Zahid with a notice to be present at its headquarters at 3pm today.

Lokman also said Dr Ahmad Zahid was expected to be charged tomorrow.

Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said he believed MACC’s action against the party president would not ruin Umno’s position.

However, he also said Dr Ahmad Zahid’s fate would be decided by the supreme council.

“The supreme council must weigh all matters that arise following MACC’s action.

“I think we had better wait till tomorrow and see what the outcome is,” the Gua Musang MP said.

While speculation is rife that Dr Ahmad Zahid will be arrested, MACC officials remain tight-lipped.

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