Umno takes claim over seized money to court

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno is to leave it to the courts to decide on its claim to retrieve the RM116.7 million allegedly belonging to the party that the police have seized, said Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the party will comply with the legal process.

“We respect the view of the police but we are taking legal action to claim the seized money,” he said to reporters at the Parliament lobby.

Ahmad Zahid was commenting on the statement by Senior Federal Counsel Mohammad Sallehuddin Md Ali on Monday that the police and government will file an application to strike out a suit by Datuk Seri Abd Rauf Yusoh of Umno over the claim of RM116.7 million seized by the police during a raid.

Mohammad Sallehuddin was reported to have said yesterday that Umno does not have the locus standi to file the application.

Ahmad Zahid said Umno will provide proof in court when the time comes.

Meanwhile, the Umno president congratulated PKR president- elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on his victory in the Port Dickson parliamentary by- election last Saturday.

“On behalf of Umno and as the Opposition Leader, I extend my belated congratulations. It is our stand that we congratulate anyone who wins a seat in Parliament. We hope he (Anwar) can contribute to the full meaning of democracy in the country,” he said.

Anwar achieved a convincing victory in the by- election and was sworn in as the MP for Port Dickson on Monday. — Bernama