KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed concerns that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigation involving former vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob will affect the party’s reputation or stability. Zahid reaffirmed that Umno had no ties to the probe, emphasizing that the seized funds did not belong to the party.
“This is purely an individual matter, not a party issue,” he told reporters at a breaking-fast event with Umno Supreme Council members. Previously, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki warned that the party would take legal action against anyone attempting to link Umno to the investigation.
Ismail is being questioned as a suspect in a case involving four senior officers associated with him. MACC revealed that it had seized approximately RM170 million in cash and 16kg of gold bars during raids at the officers’ residences and several “safe houses.”
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki stated that 23 more witnesses had been interviewed, bringing the total to 54.
Ismail, the Bera MP, is expected to provide his statement at MACC headquarters tomorrow after postponing his previous appointments on March 5 and 7 due to health issues. He was hospitalized on Feb 22 after collapsing at home due to blood pressure-related complications.