Zahid leaves MACC HQ after almost 8 hours' questioning in Round 5

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi this evening said that he was questioned over seven issues by anti-graft investigators in a three-day marathon session at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.

Speaking to reporters outside the premises, the former deputy prime minister said today's session would be the last round but he was ready to be called in again if MACC needs his assistance. The three-day session began on Wednesday.

Zahid, however, did not specify what the seven issues were about when queried by reporters.

"The three days were for me to give my statement based on very detailed information, to explain seven issues that had been the subject of (MACC’s) investigation.

"I am ready to come in again if the information (provided) isn’t enough," he said.

Thanking MACC top management and its officers for their cooperation, Zahid said he hoped that his statement would clarify matters the investigators were probing.

Clad in white Nehru-collared shirt, Zahid exited the building at 7.40pm after spending almost eight hours having his statement recorded.

He had spent close to 18 hours with investigators on Wednesday and Thursday.

This was the fifth time Zahid has appeared before MACC, including twice in July when he was questioned over issues related to the RM2.6 billion, deposited into former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank account, which had been claimed to be a donation by a Saudi royal, and an alleged misappropriation of Akal Budi Foundation's funds.

Previously, a senior MACC investigator told Malaysiakini that the case is being probed under Section 23 of MACC Act 2009 for alleged abuse of power for gratification and criminal breach of trust.

However, the source declined to confirm if this was related to the alleged misappropriation of funds belonging to the Akal Budi Foundation, or the RM2.6 billion donation. - Mkini