Shahrir defends large sum stashed in Pavilion Residences

Umno veteran Shahrir Abdul Samad has defended the large sum of cash found in the Pavilion Residences condominium units linked to Najib Abdul Razak, saying that the former Umno president needed it for the general election.  

In a press conference today, Shahrir said the whole election process requires cash, since transferring money via the bank or cheques would have presented a logistical challenge.

"People ask, ‘Why do you need cash?’ This is because not all (Umno) constituencies have bank (accounts)," he said.

Cash is important in keeping the election machinery running, he added.

"(This cannot be done effectively) via bank. If you need extra funds for the election, you give a cheque, it will be too late. This was for practical reasons.

"Those who criticised sometimes do the same thing too," he said, though not divulging any names.

Balance of election fund

The former Johor Bahru MP claimed that the money that the police seized from Pavilion Residences was the balance of Umno's election fund.

When asked if such a large sum of cash was normal, he said," I don't know, I’ve never been in that position."

"That's what some of them (in Umno) had said. That's what Najib had said. How are you going to prove it is otherwise?"

Najib, who resigned as Umno president and BN chairperson on May 12, is now being probed by the police under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 over 1MDB.

On May 18, the police seized 72 bags from three units in the upmarket Pavilion Residences – 35 of which contained cash in 26 different currencies amounting to RM114 million.

Umno later requested that police return the seized monies, claiming that it was party funds meant for the May 9 election.

The party also noted that its constitution allows the president to source for and manage funds, including those earmarked for election purposes.

However, Cheras Umno chief Syed Ali Alhabshee told Malaysiakini in an interview that he was still “shocked” by the amount found stashed in the units. -Mkini