UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he is leaving the investigation into alleged corruption involving four former aides of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Zahid, who has been occupied with ministerial duties in Sabah, also revealed he has not visited Ismail Sabri, who was found unconscious on Saturday, but plans to do so soon.
Ismail is an Umno vice-president.
Zahid expressed confidence in the MACC to carry out a thorough investigation into the allegations of corruption.
“We are confident that MACC will carry out all legal procedures and complete its investigation,” Zahid told reporters after officiating the Sabah Umno three-decade anniversary in Tawau on Sunday.
Zahid also stressed on the importance of justice and maintaining MACC’s credibility throughout the investigation.
“We hope they will carry out justice, and we hope that the credibility that has always been a benchmark, especially for MACC, will be upheld with full integrity,” he added.
The probe revolves around corruption allegations linked to the former aide, with four officials detained for questioning.
MACC has not yet issued further statements on the ongoing investigation but three of the former aides were remanded for five days starting Friday, while the fourth was remanded for three days and released today.
Zahid also addressed concerns about Ismail Sabri’s health, confirming that the Umno Vice President and former Prime Minister was found unconscious on Saturday and is currently under medical observation.
“I found out yesterday, but I did not have the opportunity to visit him because of my schedule. Today, I am in Tawau, and tomorrow I will be in Kota Kinabalu,” Zahid said.
He indicated his intention to visit Ismail Sabri once his official duties in Sabah are completed.
“I will visit him as soon as possible,” he added.
Meanwhile, Zahid stressed that Umno would respect any decision made by its party Disciplinary Board concerning several Umno members from Sabah who had been suspended for refusing to tow the party line during a political crisis in Sabah 2023.
“We are aware that the Disciplinary Board has previously announced its decision regarding the action, and we stand by that decision. The Supreme Council places Umno’s rules above any member involved,” he said.
Several Sabah Umno members were suspended for backing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor during the state leadership crisis.
Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, the Putatan MP and Tanjung Keramat assemblyman, was suspended for six years.
He supported Hajiji Noor, defying Umno’s directive to withdraw support during the political turmoil.
Four other Umno assemblymen were also suspended for backing Hajiji namely, Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit), Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), James Ratib (Sugut) and Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk). - February 23, 2025.
