Umno seeks to lift freeze on accounts

BAGAN DATUK: Umno has filed an application with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to unfreeze some of the party accounts so that they can be used for administrative and payroll purposes.

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the application was submitted to MACC yesterday by party secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and appointed lawyers.

Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk member of parliament, was speaking after opening the Bagan Datuk Umno division delegates’ meeting here yesterday.

On Friday, media reports said MACC had frozen 900 bank accounts linked to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal involving Umno-owned accounts.

In Alor Star, Kedah Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said the freezing of central and Kedah Umno’s accounts, which involved accounts in 15 state divisions, had resulted in the party having no financial resources for payroll expenses.

“So, we ask that MACC allow Umno to withdraw some of the money in the accounts.

“We will provide a report on the expenditure, so that the sum issued is not excessive.

“But do not freeze them permanently,” he said when asked to comment on the freezing of the accounts.

In Melaka, the state Umno liaison committee had not received notice or instructions from any authorities on investigations into the state Umno’s accounts, its chairman Datuk Seri Idris Haron said.

“I have checked the status of the Melaka Umno bank accounts yesterday and found them to be okay,” he said after officiating the Tangga Batu Umno division delegates’ meeting here yesterday.

In Kuala Nerus, state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the party would cooperate with MACC in its investigation into the party’s accounts in relation to the 1MDB issue.

“Terengganu Umno has not been contacted by MACC or banks on the status of the state Umno account(s),” he said after officiating the Kuala Nerus Umno division delegates’ meeting.

In Seremban, the accounts of Negri Sembilan and Rembau Umno were not involved in the freezing of assets by MACC, said state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

“As of yesterday (Friday) evening, I have asked the office to check with the bank on the status of the Umno liaison committee and Rembau Umno’s accounts.

“Nothing (has transpired),” he said.

In Johor Baru, Johor Baru Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrir Abd Samad said the move to investigate the frozen Umno accounts under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 was not appropriate, as the act should not be used on political parties.

Shahrir said it gave an impression that the source of Umno’s funds was from criminal activity.

In Ipoh, Perak Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said Umno must find a solution financially after the party’s accounts were frozen.

The former menteri besar said the freeze could hamper the movements of the party, including to hold meetings, which required funds.