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KOTA KINABALU: A total of RM2.9 million from the RM270m related to the 1MDB scandal which the MACC is trying to recover was disbursed to recipients in Sabah, comprising both political parties as well as individuals.

The four recipients from the state were former Minister of Land and Cooperative Development Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam (RM154,757.52), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (RM1m), Liberal Democratic Party (RM509,560.96) and Sabah Umno (RM1.254m).

United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) said it returned the RM1m it received from former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to avoid being dragged into a lengthy civil forfeiture lawsuit. 

Upko Secretary-General Nelson Angang, who confirmed this when contacted, insisted that the act of returning the money did not mean the former Barisan Nasional (BN) component party admits guilt.

“We decided to return the money because we could already foresee a lengthy process of civil forfeiture lawsuit. We didn’t want to be dragged into it.

“But I must stress that the act of returning the money on our part was not an admission of guilt for we never knew it was related to the 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) as alleged. We received the money in good faith in the knowledge that it was normal for the BN Chairman (Najib) to give financial support to component parties to run their programmes and activities,” said Nelson, a lawyer.

He said the money was returned about one or two months ago after Daily Express highlighted the matter. The party’s bank accounts, which had been frozen by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, has since been lifted.

Upko President Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau had said in April that the party wanted to return the money but was unable to do so since its accounts had been frozen by the MACC.

MACC Chief Commissioner Latheefa Koya had said the suit was filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Wednesday under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

She had said the monies that was disbursed to some 41 recipients and entities all came from Najib’s personal bank account.