Najib tells Zahid to stay calm and persevere

KUALA LUMPUR — United Malays National Organisation (Umno) president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should stay calm and be patient when facing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) prosecution on Friday (Oct 19), his former boss, Najib Razak, said on Thursday.

“I am saddened by what has happened to Zahid. I hope he will stand firm in facing this.

“I also hope the rule of law is adhered to and the justice system is transparent in the case against Zahid,” he told reporters in Parliament.

Former deputy prime minister Zahid was arrested by the MACC at 3.15pm on Thursday at the commission’s headquarters and will face charges on Friday related to a charitable organisation that he chairs.

In a statement, the MACC said Zahid will face charges relating to abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust.

The Bagan Datuk Member of Parliament will be charged under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

The statement also said the Attorney-General’s Chambers had given its nod to the charges.

The MACC had previously questioned Zahid in relation to a family-run charitable foundation, Yayasan Akal Budi, over claims that RM800,000 (S$265,000) from the foundation was used to pay off his and his wife’s credit card bills.

Najib was himself reportedly summoned by the MACC to give his statement on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

This is the sixth time the former prime minister has been called to the headquarters in Putrajaya.

Sources said he was called up in relation to 1MDB’s debt payments to the International Petroleum Investment Company.

Najib arrived at 10am and was questioned for three hours, while managing to dodge the media.

So far, he has been slapped with 32 charges, 25 of which are related to 1MDB on money laundering and abuse of power.

Another seven charges are related to former 1MDB subsidiary SRC International, which involves money laundering, abuse of power and criminal breach of trust. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT