Return seized cash to Umno? ‘We'll follow the law’, says IGP

Inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun has said that the police will follow due process in their ongoing investigation into money seized from houses linked to former Umno president Najib Abdul Razak.

Fuzi said this when asked about on Umno’s call for the money to be returned to the party.

“There is a process for reclaiming (the money). We must follow the process provided by the law.

“Investigations are ongoing and we might need more time.

“We can’t act arbitrarily, for we must follow the right channels and legal processes,” Fuzi told a press conference after an event distributing Hari Raya biscuits at the federal police headquarters at Bukit Aman this morning.

Umno yesterday claimed that the funds in question were in the midst of being transferred to the new leadership following former prime minister Najib’s resignation as the party’s president.

"We regret to note that the remainder of these campaign contributions 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," Umno said in a statement.

The Malay Mail previously reported that Najib as saying that he had lodged a police report, stating that the cash seized were election campaign donations.

Police to help 1MDB taskforce

Meanwhile, Fuzi said the police probe into 1MDB was ongoing on and that the police were prepared to work with other authorities in their investigations into the troubled state strategic investment fund.

“We offer our full co-operation to all parties, including the 1MDB taskforce and the Council of Eminent Persons set up by the government.

“Previously we had already been investigating (1MDB) and we will continue to do so… we have been investigating it for quite some time now,” he said in reply to a question.

However, Fuzi declined to provide details when pressed for developments on the police probe into 1MDB.

“That I cannot reveal to you, it is too early for me to say (anything),” he said.

No changes to police force expected

Fuzi further dismissed concerns of a possible shake-up of the force following the formation of a new federal government led by Pakatan Harapan.

“So far I have not received any information about (any changes in the lineup).

“We are still loyal to the government of the day, so (the change of government) is a non-issue.

“We are professional, non-partisan and we are doing our part in ensuring the peace and security of our nation at all times,” he told the same press conference. -Mkini