Gov't loses appeal to continue freezing bank accounts of Umno, Wanita MCA

The Court of Appeal has dismissed a government appeal to continue freezing the bank accounts of Umno, Wanita MCA and two companies in a case related to 1MDB-linked funds.

A three-member panel of judges led by Yaacob Md Sam decided after deliberating on submissions by counsel representing the five parties.

"After considering all the submissions, cause papers and case of laws, we found that the applicant (government) has failed to prove to this court the special circumstances which can enable this court to use its discretion to grant a stay on (an earlier decision by the Kuala Lumpur High Court)," Yaacob said when delivering the judgement.

In February, the Kuala Lumpur High Court had denied the government's bid to forfeit 1MDB-linked funds from Umno (RM192 million), Wanita MCA (RM300,000), Perano Sdn Bhd (RM337,634.78) and Binsabi Sdn Bhd (RM827,250).

Following this, MACC through the Attorney-General's Chambers had filed an application with the High Court to obtain a stay on its order pending their appeal on the case. This application, however, was dismissed by the High Court on June 19.

[More to follow] - Mkini