DEPUTY Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has offered himself to be investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to clear his name over allegations that he had RM230 million in his account when he was an Umno Youth exco.

“That person (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) wants to force me to declare my assets. He wants MACC to investigate me. And so I offer myself to be investigated,” Zahid told a packed hall during the Baling Umno delegates meeting today.

“At the same time, I hope MACC will also investigate his assets and the wealth of his family.

“But even if I had so much money it was not illegal as I wasn’t in government at that time. I was a businessman, a CEO of a listed company and held directorships in three listed companies,” said the Umno vice-president.

Zahid, who is carrying out the duties of Umno deputy president after Muhyiddin Yassin was sacked from the party last year, said he wants MACC to clear his name.

The Zahid-Dr Mahathir spat began with Zahid striking the first blow by taking a dig at the 92-year-old’s Indian heritage.

“Dr Mahathir has likely forgotten this fact – that he is the son of Iskandar Kutty,” Zahid said of the former prime minister who now leads opposition party Pakatan Harapan.

Dr Mahathir returned the salvo by claiming that Zahid had suggested ousting Najib in 2015.

The former prime minister also alleged there was RM230 million in Zahid’s account when he was Umno Youth chief. 

Zahid was chairman of Bank Simpanan Nasional, Ramatex Bhd, Tekala Corporation Bhd and Seng Hup Bhd. He was director of Permodalan Nasional Bhd and CEO of Kretam Holding Bhd before becoming Umno Youth chief in 1996.

Never bite the hand that feeds

Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, continued to deny he had plotted against Najib with Dr Mahathir in 2015.

“I have known Najib long before I was appointed his political secretary on Oct 1, 1987 when he was Sports Minister. And I have worked under him till now for almost 30 years.

“I have never bitten the hand that feeds me, much less stab someone in the back,” Zahid told the delegates.

Zahid said that many have challenged him to release the tape recording of his meeting with Dr Mahathir in 2015, held shortly after Zahid became deputy prime minister.

Dr Mahathir had apparently suggested in their conversation that Najib is ousted through a vote of no-confidence.

“They challenge me to release the tape. Maybe I will release it one day but I’m not so stupid. The recording is with me and the recording is with the relevant people.

“The tape is being analysed and narrated now, although it has been two years since it was made.”

He said he had met Najib before the meeting with Dr Mahathir.

“I had been informed that Dr Mahathir had already begun to move against Najib. I went (to see Dr Mahathir) because I still respect him, and Najib had given his approval too.”

Zahid also said he did not mean to raise the question of Dr Mahathir’s Indian ancestry.

“I did not mean to insult his race. More so when Baling MP and Baling division chief Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim is also of Indian heritage.

“I’m colour blind and we are a multiracial country that needs to respect every race. but I cannot accept it when I am faced with a liar… especially about the RM230 million allegation.” – August 5, 2017.