Probe RM40m scandal, PKR tells Bank Negara

Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001 empowers central bank to probe any transaction on a mere suspicion, says the party's strategic director Rafizi Ramli.

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR urged Bank Negara to investigate the RM40 million scandal linked to Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman, saying the transaction breached the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001.

PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli said this today at a press conference at the Parliament lobby. Also present were PKR MP Saifuddin Nasution and PAS MP Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Earlier, Tuaran MP Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing said that the RM40 million “political donation” to Sabah Umno is being held in a personal account owned by an Umno leader.

The money, Wildfred told an online portal, was being taken out little by little to finance expenditures.

He, however, refused to name the leader and did not provide any evidence to back his claims.

Rafizi said that under Section 14 of Anti-Money Laundering Act, a banking institution should report to Bank Negara if they find any suspicious transactions.

“The Act gives huge powers to Bank Negara to probe any transactions on a mere suspicion,” said Rafizi.

Rafizi said that even Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Aziz had acknowledged in Parliament that the money was initially seized by the Hong Kong authorities.

“And Section 61 (3) of Anti-Money Laundering Act requires whichever local banking institution involved in the transaction to report the matter to Bank Negara,” said Rafizi.

Umno must come clean
He added that Wilfred’s statement, alleging that the money is being held in a personal account,  instead of Sabah Umno shows the transaction was also in breach of Section 16 (3) of the act.

“The section empowers Bank Negara to probe huge amounts of funds procured by anyone not having any business, financial or industry at the place the money originated from,” said Rafizi.

He urged Umno leaders to come clean on the matter and assist Bank Negara in probing the scandal.

“I’ve been charged under the Banking and Financial Institutions Act. Neverthless, I extended full cooperation to the authorities into their investigation.

“Remember that financial players are looking at this case as it involves our country’s financial integrity, especially in dealing with money-laundering,” said Rafizi.

Saifuddin said that the government should extend the same level of investigation on the matter as they are doing in the case of Suaram.

“Don’t just think people will just accept Umno leaders’ explanations on the matter and keep quiet. If that’s what they think, they are dead wrong,” he said.

Rafizi said he will lodge with Bank Negara on the matter tomorrow.