Newly elected Umno president Ahmad Zahid today confirmed that he has been summoned by the MACC to have his statement recorded.

Speaking during a press conference at the Umno headquarters, Zahid said that he has been requested to clarify certain issues related to a welfare foundation owned by his family members.

"The foundation was established for activities such as building mosques, tahfiz schools, orphanages and other welfare activities including coordinating donations.

"The funds in my family foundation were contributed by me and several friends who are also interested in doing good deeds.

"I will discuss that with the MACC tomorrow," he said, when asked about the exact time he would have his statement recorded.

Zahid was joined at the press conference by newly elected Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan and two of the party’s three vice-presidents.

Read more: Report: Zahid to face MACC over Arab donor, foundation funds

A source from within the MACC told Malaysiakini that Zahid will have his statement recorded at 10am tomorrow at the commission's Putrajaya headquarters.

 

The Star reported this morning that the MACC are seeking to probe Zahid over allegations that a foundation he chairs had misused funds amounting to RM800,000 to pay credit card debts.

The report also said that he will be grilled over his meeting with the Saudi royal family regarding donations to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"I will leave the investigations to the MACC. I am confident that the MACC will investigate in a transparent manner," he said when asked whether Umno received funds from 1MDB in the past.

In 2015, Zahid claimed that he met the chief investment officer and wealth trustee of the Arab family said to be behind the RM2.6 billion transferred into Najib’s personal accounts.

Critics have since repeatedly urged him to reveal what transpired during this meeting, but to no avail.

The MACC, in a statement later, confirmed that it has summoned Zahid for questioning.

Deputy commissioner (operations) Azam Baki said the commission expects him to be present at its headquarters tomorrow.

"Zahid was contacted by the MACC on June 27 to ask him to be present at the headquarters at 10am on July 2 for his statement to recorded in accordance to the MACC Act 2009.

"His presence is needed to assist in the investigation of two separate cases," he said.