RM3.5m PMO heist - so whose money is it?

EXCLUSIVE | No one it seems has put in a claim for the RM3.5 million in cash allegedly carted away from the Prime Minister's Office by 17 security personnel on election night.

Sources told Malaysiakini that to date, there has also been no report lodged with regards to the missing cash either with the police or the MACC.

This was confirmed by Putrajaya police, under whose jurisdiction the scene of the crime falls, and the MACC when contacted today.

"There is no report on the money being stolen or whatever. The authorities only started investigating the security personnel after they received a tip-off on the guards' suspicious surge of wealth," said a source.

Another source said the tip-off was the reason why MACC had taken over the case instead of the police as is usual in cases of theft or break-ins.

"That is why when the case was opened, authorities looked into it as a possible graft case," said the source.

The 17 security personnel were yesterday remanded by the MACC for allegedly taking the cash totalling RM3.5 million.

Sources told Malaysiakini the 17 had taken away the money – which the MACC said was part of Umno’s election war chest – upon learning that "BN was losing the election."

Putrajaya district police chief Assistant Commissioner Rosly Hassan told Malaysiakini that they have not received any report of RM3.5 million being stolen or robbed from the Prime Minister's Office.

"As far as I know, no report was lodged with us (the police). Maybe they (owners of the cash) reported it to the MACC, as the commission is conducting the investigation. Try checking with them," he said.

Cars, motorcycles seized

Malaysiakini then contacted Azam Baki, the MACC deputy chief commissioner of operations, who said that nobody had approached the agency to claim ownership of the huge amount of cash.

When asked, he also confirmed that MACC initiated their probe based on a tip-off over the security personnel, who were said to be flashing their sudden wealth.

Azam, however, declined to reveal further details, citing that the case was still under investigation.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that MACC has seized more valuables and assets from the 17 suspects, including luxury vehicles.

According to sources, MACC confiscated among others a Volkswagen GTI, three Honda cars, a Perodua Alza and two motorcycles.

The total number of vehicles seized to date by the commission total five cars and 11 motorcycles.

They have also seized a substantial amount of jewellery, 11 handphones, and various electrical appliances.

Azam said the commission was still valuing the worth of the items and evidence collecting was still ongoing. -Mkini