Umno getting trustees of its properties to relinquish responsibilities, says Zahid

 

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (fourth from right) at the launch of the Pahang Rail Academy at Yayasan Pahang in Kuantan today. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Umno is getting trustees of its properties to relinquish their responsibilities if they are no longer with the party, says its president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the transfer of trust ownership should take place when any individual is no longer part of the party or holding any position in government.

“When someone no longer holds a position in any organisation, especially a political organisation that entrusted them to be a trustee, they should relinquish that responsibility,” Bernama quoted him as telling a press conference after launching the Pahang Rail Academy at Yayasan Pahang in Kuantan today.

Zahid was commenting on Umno’s move to file an originating summons seeking a court declaration to transfer ownership of 9,723 sq m of land in the federal capital to the party.

He said one individual, whom he did not name, had not signed the documents to release his trustee responsibilities over party assets, while the others had done so.

Umno is seeking an order for the transfer of ownership of Grant 78154, Lot 40, Section 51, Kuala Lumpur.

This parcel of land is currently registered under the names of the trustees – the late Daim Zainuddin, Musa Hitam, Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the late Sanusi Junid – to the party, pursuant to Clause 27.1 of its constitution and Section 9 of the Societies Act 1966.

Zahid said Umno had taken this step a long time ago but it was only now gaining media attention.

“It’s been a while. It’s just that the issue was raised today, so I have to respond,” he said when asked why Umno was only now taking legal action.

Commenting on a claim by Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar that his movements were closely monitored and his phone was probably being tapped, Zahid said this could be an attempt to gain sympathy.

The Barisan Nasional chairman noted that Samsuri’s statement came just ahead of the Ayer Kuning state by-election campaign, which starts tomorrow. - FMT