RM2.6bil in PM's account 'from donors, not 1MDB'
Published on: Tuesday, August 04, 2015
Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said investigations revealed that the RM2.6 billion alleged to have been deposited into the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak's account was from donors and not from the 1MDB.MACC in a statement, however, said their investigations into SRC International Sdn Bhd involving a fund of RM4 billion was still ongoing. "The MACC would once again like to ensure that their investigations are conducted independently with utmost integrity, and professionally."It is hoped that all those concerned will remain patient and give the MACC room to conduct a thorough investigation," it said.
ADVERTISEMENT
MACC, however, did not identify the donors nor did they disclose how the RM2.6 billion was spent. The commission also said that it was tasked to investigate SRC International and the money flow into the prime minister's accounts while the police was probing the 1MDB issue. It added that Bank Negara Malaysia, was tasked with probing the financial methods and procedures.On the police investigations on certain MACC officers, the commission said it would provide its full co-operation. "We would like to reiterate that there are no MACC officers involved in a conspiracy to overthrow the government. "It is the responsibility of the MACC to conduct investigations into cases involving corruption and not aimed at overthrowing any party, including the government," said the MACC.
ADVERTISEMENT
As an independent commission, the MACC said it conducted its investigations without fear or favour, regardless of who was involved."The MACC will not allow any party to influence or interfere in investigations. "We urge the public not to draw speculations until we have completed our investigations."
ADVERTISEMENT
Earlier in PUTRAJAYA, the MACC lodged a police report to deny allegations that it had leaked the draft of a charge sheet as published by the Sarawak Report portal.The report, made by an MACC officer at the Putrajaya District Police Headquarters, here, denied the existence of the draft charge on the investigation into SRC International as published by the Sarawak Report in an article dated July 30 entitled Arrest warrant for the Prime Minister: the real reason the Attorney General was fired.The officer also denied there was a leak of information or outcome of the MACC investigation to outsiders and that no one from the MACC was involved or had any intention to be involved in any conspiracy to topple the government.On July 31, the MACC said the alleged draft of the charge sheet against the prime minister was unfounded because the investigation into SRC International was still ongoing and yet to be sent to the Attorney-General's Chambers. SRC International was named by The Wall Street Journal in its July 2 expose as one of the 1MDB-linked companies that was part of the trail of funds that eventually went to Najib's personal bank accounts.Meanwhile, It has never been Umno's practice to place money from political donations in the personal accounts of trustees, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said, rejecting claims he had done the same amid the ongoing controversy over billions of ringgit in Datuk Seri Najib Razak's accounts.Dr Mahathir said while he was the Umno president, he was one of three trustees who ensured that all political donations were deposited into a bank account which was held in trust for the party.He said he later ensured that all the money, shares and other title deeds in Umno's possession were transferred to his successor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi."Not a single sen from funds donated for elections was put into my account."Throughout my 22 years (as prime minister) I was prepared to have all my personal accounts examined by those without any vested interest to verify if my claims were true or not," Dr Mahathir wrote in his blog.Najib has come under fire after The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) last month alleged that up to US$700 million (RM2.67 billion) was transferred from funds linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) into his personal accounts.The prime minister has denied ever taking any funds from 1MDB for "personal gain" but has not commented directly on the fund transfers.However, Najib had blamed Dr Mahathir, whom he accused of working with foreign agents to topple his administration.Dr Mahathir said claims that money from political donations to Umno had also gone into his personal accounts were "baseless" and "slander".The retired statesman recounted his experience in the 1964 and 1969 general elections, when RM20,000 from the Umno headquarters were handed over to him to be distributed to parliamentary and state constituencies."Because I was not willing to keep the RM20,000 cash, I deposited it into my account and I issued cheques to the Dewan Rakyat and state assembly election committees in accordance to the distribution amount set by the headquarters."The money was not from donors but it was Umno's money that was given to divisions for the candidates to use," he said.He said when he was expelled from Umno in 1970, the Inland Revenue Board raided his house and clinic and found the stubs of the cheques issued by him.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
