SINGAPORE (June 26): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen the bank accounts of Umno’s headquarters and Selangor branch, according to Umno vice president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Star Online reported that Ahmad Zahid, who currently is the Umno acting president, said this came on the back of a call he received from the MACC notifying him that the accounts are now frozen.
In his speech during the state party Hari Raya gathering held today, Ahmad Zahid said, “It is almost certain that after this, MACC will freeze Johor Umno's account as well.”
“The is no guarantee that any of the Umno leaders from the ranks of the party’s supreme council, vice-presidents, deputy presidents and even the former Johor mentri besar will not be investigated by the MACC,” he adds.
Furthermore, Ahmad Zahid added that it is likely that Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin would order the Registrar of Society to deregister Umno soon.
This news comes on the heels of the Malaysian police seizing RM1.1 billion ($273 million) worth of items, including RM117 million in various currencies, in raids linked to former prime minister Najib Razak.
See: Police seized $372 mil worth of handbags, jewellery in 1MDB-linked raids
Najib on May 31 had lodged a police report on the raids carried out at his residences, claiming that the items confiscated were gifts from friends, while the cash was part of donations meant for the general election campaign of Barisan Nasional (BN).
On May 24, Umno also sought the return of the money seized in the Najib-linked premises, saying that the funds were for the party.
See: Police to question Najib, wife over RM1.1b asset haul