UMNO Says Money Seized From Najib-Linked Raids Actually Belongs To Them
They also requested for the cash to be returned.
By Tamara Jayne — 25 May 2018, 10:38 AM
The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) has requested for the police to return the money confiscated during the raids at properties linked to its former president, claiming that it belongs to the party
Police raided three luxury homes allegedly linked to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak late last week. They carted away 284 boxes filled with designer handbags, 72 luggage bags filled with watches, jewellery, and cash.
At one of the residences, RM120 million worth of cash in various currencies were discovered and seized last Friday, 18 May.
Police confirmed that the raids are connected to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) investigations.
The UMNO Strategic Communications Unit said that the funds were originally obtained from donations for the 14th General Election (GE14), and are also meant for UMNO's management
Najib was UMNO's former president however, he stepped down, and stated that the party and Barisan Nasional had suffered heavy losses (in GE14).
Political funding is allowed under the law, according to a statement on the party's official website.
"Therefore, UMNO is working to restore these funds and requests that the police release the funds to the party as soon as the authorities complete their investigations.
The party stated that they are now in the process of rebuilding the party and the return of these funds will help strengthen the rebuilding process, reported Malay Mail.
UMNO added that it is normal for the party president to source for the campaign money and to manage the funds as Najib did for them during the general election
It also stated that when former President Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad had previously resigned as their President, he too had given back "RM1.2 billion to the party and its three million members."
Previously, in a police report, Najib had claimed that the cash seized from one of the residences were donations from his friends and were meant for Barisan Nasional's election campaign, according to The Star.