UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed concerns that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) probe involving former vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob will affect the party’s image or stability.

Zahid reiterated that Umno had no involvement in the investigation and that the seized funds did not belong to the party.

“There is no issue of leadership or Umno members (being affected).

“We regard this as a personal case, an individual matter,” he told reporters during a breaking-fast event with Umno Supreme Council members.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki previously warned that the party would not hesitate to take legal action against anyone who deliberately associates it with the probe.

Ismail is being called in as a suspect in the investigation into four senior officers linked to him.

MACC said about RM170 million in cash and 16kg of gold bars worth millions of ringgit had been seized in raids conducted at the residences of the four officers and three other premises believed to be “safe houses”.

Yesterday, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the anti-graft agency had recorded statements from another 23 witnesses, adding to the 31 who were questioned earlier.

The Bera MP is expected to give his statement to MACC at its headquarters tomorrow after previously postponing his March 5 and March 7 appointments.

Ismail collapsed at home on Feb 22 and was hospitalised for blood pressure-related problems.