DPM: CID chief naive about Aussie laws
KUCHING: Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd was naive about Australian laws when he transferred funds to the country for his children’s studies.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Australian laws required one to obtain permission when transferring A$10,000 (RM30,000) and above to the country.
“The issue concerning the transfer of funds surfaced in 2016. Wan Ahmad had explained the matter to me and I accepted his explanation. I am certain about his honesty.
“He was perhaps a little naive with regard to the laws governing the transfer of funds because even though the money was legally obtained from the sale of his house, the laws in Australia require a declaration to be made if the amount is A$10,000 and above.”
Zahid said this after attending a briefing by the police at the Sarawak contingent police headquarters here yesterday.
A police investigation had shown that the A$320,000 in Wan Ahmad’s Australian bank account was from the sale of his house in Shah Alam, Selangor.
The matter put to rest speculation in Australian media that the money amounted to ill-gotten gains.
Zahid, who is home minister, said it was standard operating procedure for police officers to declare their income to the senior leadership on an annual basis.
“The inspector-general of police does the same every year. Even I do the same with the prime minister.”