UNFREEZE ACCOUNTS, UMNO URGES MACC
Youth, Wanita chiefs condemn action, demand explanation
UMNO Youth has urged the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) to immediately unfreeze the party’s accounts.
Accusing the graft busters of having gone overboard in its action, newly-minted Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said MACC needed to provide a clear and transparent justification on why it had frozen the party’s accounts.
He said while the party welcomed investigations that were conducted according to the rule of law, MACC could go about it without victimising a legitimate political party.
He urged MACC to give Umno special consideration so that the party could manage its daily operations.
He said the freezing of Umno accounts would not only affect the party, but also its workers, who would not be paid their monthly salaries.
“We need to conduct our ordinary course of business through the accounts, which have been frozen.
“We should be dealt with according to the principles of ‘presumption of innocence’ by everyone, especially MACC,” he said in a statement.
It was reported that MACC had frozen Umno and Selangor Umno’s bank accounts as part of its investigations into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Asyraf said MACC’s action did not reflect well on the government’s motto of running the country based on the rule of law.
He said MACC normally took months of investigation before taking an action, such as the freezing of accounts.
“However, in our case, Umno was not even informed that it was being investigated or that we had done anything wrong.”
He pointed out that the previous government under Barisan Nasional had never resorted to freezing an opponent party’s accounts, even though their leaders faced charges in courts.
“Is this a part of the ‘New Malaysia’ that was proclaimed, where those opposing the government are bullied?”
Asyraf said he viewed what had happened as an attempt to paralyse Umno, which had emerged as the biggest voice of the Malays in Parliament.
Wanita Umno chief Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad echoed Asyraf’s views in criticising the action of freezing Umno’s accounts.
“Wanita Umno is very disappointed.
“We strongly condemn and urge them (MACC) to lift the freeze.
“As a legally registered organisation, Umno presents its financial statements at the annual Umno General Assembly.
“They are audited and approved by its members in accordance with the law.”