Umno wants police to return funds seized after Najib resigned

Umno is seeking the return of funds which the police have seized, according to the party's communication team.

The party said the funds were being transferred to the new leadership following Najib Abdul Razak's resignation as president.

"We regret to note that the remainder of these campaign contribution and party funding has been seized by the police while in the process of being transferred to the acting leadership of Umno after Najib's resignation as president of Umno and BN," read its statement.

It said the funds should be released to the party after the completion of investigations by the relevant authorities.

This is believed to be in reference to funds seized from Najib-linked condominiums in Kuala Lumpur.

The Malay Mail previously reported that Najib lodged a police report claiming the cash seized was campaign donations.

Umno said that it was traditional for the party president to source and manage campaign funds as Najib had done for the 14th general election.

It also said that when Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad resigned as Umno president, he, too, had given back "RM1.2 billion to the party and its three million members."

It said the return of funds seized by police will help with efforts to rebuild the party.

Last week, police launched simultaneous raids on premises in the capital linked to Najib, including his home in Langgak Duta, and three condominium units in Pavilion Residences, Bukit Bintang.

Police seized 74 bags of cash and jewellery, and 284 boxes of luxury handbags reportedly totalling RM120 million in value. - Mkini