RM2.6b donor heads a foreign nation, Zahid reveals

Contribution made due to Umno's commitment to the promotion of Islam and combating other Islamic sects, says deputy prime minister.

PETALING JAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has revealed that the individual who contributed RM2.6 billion to Prime Minister Najib Razak is a leader of a foreign country.

Zahid, who is also an Umno vice-president said the donation was made as the donor’s government believed in Umno’s ability to promote Islam and keep other sects other than Sunnism at bay.

“They are not individuals. But I did not want to mention it.

“The government in question has contributed larger sums of funds to many other Muslim countries.

“Why should we dispute their sincerity? And they did not ask for any contract or project from us in return. We should be grateful,” he was quoted as saying in an interview with AgendaDaily and BNBBC.my.

The Deputy Prime Minister said since the issue of the RM2.6 billion donation had come to light, he has been consistent in his belief in the Prime Minister.

This is because, he said, all political parties receive political contributions.

According to Zahid, although the issue has been clarified by Najib the persistent dispute regarding it had exacerbated the negative perception over the matter.

“When hatred is planted, then the reality and the truth is roundly rejected. That is the problem.”

He also recalled several incidents relating to political funds which took place after Dr Mahathir Mohamad stepped down as premier.

Transparency International, Zahid said, had stated that Mahathir had handed over a sum of RM1.2 billion to his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“RM1 billion in assets and RM200 million in cash. We too can ask Mahathir about the source of those funds.

“Five general elections, and no one had asked anything because of the respect we had for him.

“We left it up to him as the leader at the time. Regardless of the source, as long as it is legal and adheres to the codes of conduct, it should be respected by all.”

The RM2.6 billion donation made headlines because it was deposited in the personal bank accounts of Najib and not the bank account of his party, Umno.