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KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is in the crosshairs of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over two issues – his alleged involvement in receiving kickbacks in a defence deal and an allegation of forcing Barisan Nasional (BN) election candidates to pledge allegiance towards him as prime minister.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said these allegations are serious enough to warrant the MACC to embark on an investigation including a cross-border probe.
The first allegation involves S$20 million (RM66 million) in the littoral combat ship project, where Zahid, who was then defence minister, purportedly received eight payments via money-changers between 2012 and 2013.
The allegations were made by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, in which he had asked MACC to investigate and to even meet him in the United Kingdom where he is based, and where he is willing to provide more documents.
Azam said he has officers ready to meet Raja Petra as early as next week.
“I give my assurance that we will investigate and take action if the information received is credible,” he told The Vibes.
“These allegations are something new, so we need to gather as much information as we can, as the allegations are serious.”
With regard to the statutory declarations (SDs) BN candidates were purportedly made to sign, he said Zahid will be investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act for abuse of power.
“If, as party president, you are pressuring candidates to support you as prime minister, then it is wrong,” he said.
The SDs, among others, pledged support for Zahid as prime minister if BN wins the most seats.
It also purported to give senior cabinet posts and political appointments to Umno MPs, and to drop charges against Umno and BN leaders involved in court cases.
Zahid and Umno have since denied the allegations on the SDs.
Zahid faces corruption charges, with one case involving funds from charity foundation Yayasan Akalbudi ongoing, and another involving a company handling visas – which is pending an appeal by the prosecution against his acquittal. – The Vibes, November 3, 2022