I want access to account with hundreds of millions, Rafizi tells Ramesh

Ramesh Rao, the NGO head who often comes to the defence of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, has highlighted a new speculation concerning the existence of hundreds of millions for PKR in a fixed deposit account.

He also roped in a prominent banker, whom he claimed is speculated to be managing the funds together with a foreign finance house.

Citing allegations of suspicious cash flows, he said: "There are quarters who have seen the accounts which can be said to be extraordinary."

Responding to this, PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli told Malaysiakini he is just as curious as Ramesh.

"I am equally interested because if PKR does have such an account, that will help us a lot," he quipped.

"Every month as secretary-general of the party, I have to manage the running of the party on a shoe-string budget of RM120,000 per month. Mostly funded by deductions from our MPs/state assemblypersons (about RM90,000 a month).

"So if PKR does have that account, I want to have access to that account as well because so much we can do with more money," he added.

Ramesh's latest claim comes hot on the heels of CIMB chairperson Nazir Razak's admission to having received US$7 million from his brother, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, which was later disbursed to ruling-party politicians according to the instructions of party leaders.

However, Nazir said he believed the money was from donations he helped raise from Malaysian corporations and individuals for the election, and is not sure of any other source of the funds.

Following The Wall Street Journal report on this matter, Nazir took to Instagram to express regret.

Meanwhile, Ramesh also claimed that the funds in the fixed deposit would be distributed among those who support the opposition with the aim of campaigning for the next general election.

"We urge if this true, PKR should come forward and answer as it would raise the question as to where the funds had come from and for what purpose would it be used.

"Prior to this, it has repeatedly accused BN and the prime minister of obtaining funds, the source of which was later proven. But where does PKR's funds come from?" he asked. -Mkini