Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has advised his supporters against holding a gathering outside the MACC headquarters this Wednesday.

In a Twitter posting, the former deputy premier described this as a “personal request”.

“I am only providing a statement. I will extend full cooperation to the MACC,” added Zahid, who has been summoned for questioning for the third time.

This was in response to the call by Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam, for a solidarity gathering for Zahid, outside the MACC headquarters, on Wednesday. 

"Let us all be present to defend our president, who has become the target of (Prime Minister Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad's) regime.

"Do not let our president (be) alone. Sacrifice just one day to defend Umno's dignity, which is being jeopardised by the authorities.

"Expressing solidarity in peace is not an offence, so fear not to appear," Lokman had said in an Instagram posting.

Gathering cancelled

Meanwhile, in a statement following Zahid's request, Lokman said the planned gathering has been called off. 

"Due to a request from Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the solidarity gathering in front of the MACC headquarters at 9.30am on Oct 10, is cancelled until charges are made. 

"There will not be any solidarity gathering related to Zahid until notified otherwise. Apologies for the inconvenience," he wrote. 

In July, Zahid was questioned twice by the MACC on two matters - the use of funds from welfare foundation Yayasan Akal Budi to clear credit card debts and his claim that he met representatives of the Saudi royal family member who purportedly channelled RM2.6 billion into former premier Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank accounts.

Investigators, including the US Department of Justice (DOJ), have alleged that the RM2.6 billion originated from 1MDB.