UMNO TO CALL NAJIB, ITS OWN STRATEGY UNIT A LIAR? ‘THAT DOES NOT ARISE AT ALL’ – ZAHID SIGNALS UMNO MAY NOT LAY CLAIM TO RM114 MILLION CASH STASH, ORDERS KU NAN TO RESTART GIVING MONTHLY ALLOWANCE TO DIVISIONS – BUT DOESN’T SAY WHERE MONEY WILL COME FROM

KOTA KINABALU – Acting Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party is leaving it to the authorities to take the necessary action on the money amounting to millions of ringgit seized from premises linked to former prime minister Najib Razak.

“The question on whether we will claim the money… I think that does not arise at all,” he said after attending a Hari Raya celebration with Sabah Umno delegates here today.

He declined to answer further questions on the matter.

Umno’s strategic communications unit had earlier claimed that RM116.7 million in 26 currencies seized by the police was the party’s money and it was needed to rebuild the party after its loss in the May 9 general election.

In a statement issued on May 24, the party said it was seeking to recover the funds and requested the police to release and return it to the party after investigations were completed.

Umno’s strategic communications unit said the party’s constitution allowed for the president to source and manage funds, including those to be used for a general election.

Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Amar Singh confirmed today that RM116.7 million in cash was found in the 35 bags taken from premises linked to the former prime minister last month.

He said another 25 bags contained 12,000 items of jewellery, including rings and diamond earrings estimated to cost RM440 million in materials alone.

Amar said Najib, his wife Rosmah Mansor and their alleged “gift givers” would be called in for questioning as part of the probe into 1MDB.

Meanwhile, Zahid said he had decided to continue giving monthly allocations to all Umno divisions to help with their operational activities.

He said he made the decision although there had been an earlier directive from the party secretary-general to stop the funds.

“The secretary-general had issued a directive to stop the monthly allocations last month because we wanted the divisions to carry out their activities using their own funds.

“However, it was obvious that the financial capability of the party at the divisional and wing levels is not strong enough.

“Therefore, the headquarters has decided to take the responsibility and continue to foot the operational costs, including the funds to pay for salaries and carry out activities just like before the general election.”

Zahid denied the decision was linked to his bid to be party president.

He insisted it was just a continuation of the party’s normal practice when it was under the leadership of former president Najib.

As the acting president, Zahid said, he wanted to take this step despite the directive from the secretary-general.

– FMT