Umno bank accounts FROZEN MACC revs up 1MDB probe, to scrutinise party’s finances nationwide
PETALING JAYA: Bank accounts belonging to Umno headquarters and Selangor Umno were frozen yesterday by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission ( MACC) amid a massive investigation on the multi-billion ringgit 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
Sources close to the MACC task force confirmed the accounts were frozen and did not discount the possibility of a similar move against other state Umno accounts.
It is believed the move was to enable investigations into allegations that a portion of 1MDB funds were transferred into Umno bank accounts prior to the recent general elections.
MACC officials declined comment when contacted yesterday.
Former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was quoted saying at a Johor Umno Hari Raya event that he was aware of the suspension of both bank accounts.
He said it was possible Johor Umno’s bank account may also be frozen next, adding that the Home Ministry will order the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to deregister Umno.
Ahmad Zahid also said there was no guarantee that Umno’s new president, his deputy, vice-presidents, members of its supreme council and former mentri besar will not be
investigated by MACC.
Meanwhile in JOHOR BARU, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he will allow RoS to use its discretion on the matter, adding that he will not instruct RoS to dissolve Umno.
“Let RoS investigate first, and they will take appropriate action if any wrongdoing is found. This also applies to any organisation,” Muhyiddin said after a working visit to the Johor Baru Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex.
He said there must be some evidence that was established for MACC to take such action, and it was within the agency’s power to do so.
On the seizure of items from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s properties, Muhyiddin said the amount is extraordinarily large.
“It is so huge that some people just can’t believe it,” he said.
“People may think it happened in a foreign country, but this is happening in front of our eyes.”
He said the police should be allowed to conduct its investigations, adding that more evidence will speed up the prosecution process.
Later in Malacca, Ahmad Zahid said Umno’s lawyers will look into the items seized to determine whether any of them belong to the party.
Ahmad Zahid, who is carrying out the duties of the party president, said if any of the items belonged to Umno, the party would take action in accordance with the law.
“We will follow rules and laws and will leave the matter to our lawyers to handle,” he told reporters after attending the Malacca Umno Liaison Committee Aidilfitri open house in Ayer Keroh.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said police are sticking to its RM1.1 billion assessment of the luxury items seized from Najib’s properties.
“We hired experts to help us tabulate and value the items. So we have these estimates based on expert valuation, and not based on reports of our men.”
He said Bank Negara Malaysia officers were also involved in the process, that followed stringent procedures.