Najib wants cops to return $39m, claims the money is Umno funds
PETALING JAYA Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak wants the police to return the RM116.7 million (S$39 million) - most of which he claims is Umno funds - seized from premises linked to him as no legal action has been taken after three months.
He said most of the money was in ringgit while only a small portion of the cash was in foreign currencies.
Najib, in a Facebook post yesterday, insisted the money, amounting to RM116.7 million should be returned as it has been more than three months since the seizure of the assets and, according to the law, it must be returned if no prosecution has been made.
He also went on to explain that it was normal practice for the Umno president to handle donations and party assets, including transferring and making payments during elections.
During the last general election, most of the donations from businessmen and individuals were in cash and it was distributed to all 222 parliamentary and 505 state constituencies, he said.
"When Dr Mahathir Mohamad built the Prime Minister's Office and Seri Perdana, he also ensured that a vault and a safe were built at the locations.
"These are the locations where the cash received was stored for the purposes of political and election operations, including settling bills after the elections as well as funds for branches' operations," said Najib.
After Barisan Nasional lost the election, the cash was temporarily transferred to the Pavilion Residences in Kuala Lumpur, he explained.
He said: "I was also informed recently a few officers had stolen RM3.5m when transferring the cash, and they were detained by the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission)."
On the foreign currencies seized, Najib explained that anyone who often travels overseas for work and leisure was bound to have unused foreign currencies at home.
He also said he would explain the seized jewellery and handbags.
- THE STAR
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