Zahid SUMMONED

PETALING JAYA: Former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was directed by the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) yesterday to be present at its Putrajaya headquarters tomorrow at 10am for further questioning over the alleged misappropriation of RM800,000 belonging t o a welfare foundation managed by his family.

On July 2 and 3, the commission’s investigators had questioned the Umno president for hours over the case.

Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam urged Ahmad Zahid’s supporters to show up at the MACC headquarters at 9.30am.

“Let us all be present to defend our president, who has become a target of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s regime,” Lokman said on Instagram.

“Do not let our president be alone. Sacrifice just one day to defend Umno’s dignity, which is being jeopardised by the authorities. Expressing solidarity in peace is not an offence, so fear not.”

However, at about 4pm yesterday, Lokman said as Ahmad Zahid had requested t hat hi s s upporters not hold a ny demonstration tomorrow, he was calling off t he gathering until t he “process of prosecution” is carried out.

“As a personal request, I hope there is no rally or demonstration in front of the MACC headquarters. I will give my statement. Full cooperation will be given to MACC,” Ahmad Zahid tweeted.

Sources said it was likely Ahmad Zahid would face criminal charges over the case soon.

MACC commenced investigations on Ahmad Zahid after he allegedly used funds belonging to Yayasan Akal Budi to settle credit card payments for himself and his wife between 2014 and 2015.

Ahmad Zahid has denied the allegations and claimed that his staff had made a mistake by using the foundation’s account for the credit card payments.

He claimed he had reimbursed the sum to the foundation, that aids underprivileged children and single mothers.