FROZEN OR NOT, WHAT’S A HUNDRED-ODD MILLION RINGGIT TO ALLEGED PIRATE SHIP UMNO? WITH SO MANY FILTHY RICH WARLORDS ON BOARD, HOW CAN SUCH A ‘PITTANCE’ STOP ZAHID & CO

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno’s account is still frozen and the party has appointed lawyers to look into it.

Party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed this when met by reporters after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting, here, today.

Asked if the party will require funds for the upcoming general assembly set to take place on Sept 29 and 30, Ahmad Zahid said, “Yes, and we have appointed lawyers to look into it”.

On whether former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad is part of the legal team, Ahmad Zahid said: “No”.

The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Special Task Force confirmed in late June that Umno’s bank account was among those frozen over alleged irregularities associated with funds claimed to have been misappropriated from the sovereign wealth fund.

“The 1MDB Special Task Force gives the assurance that the investigation is being conducted fairly and professionally and in accordance with the laws,” the task force had said in a statement.

Umno’s legal bureau head Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had said earlier that the party appointed lawfirm Scivetti and Associates, together with a team of lawyers led by Datuk Hariharan Tara Singh to recover its money amounting to RM116.7 million that was seized by the police.

“The team is currently scrutinising all legal issues related to political and monetary fund claims.

“The team is also in the midst of reviewing other procedures and legal action that could be taken by Umno against the respective authorities in relating to political and monetary fund claims,” the Pengerang MP said in a statement on July 11.

– NST