UMNO Ready to Disclose Details of RM50 Million Fundraising to Pay Najib’s Fine

TANGGA BATU: UMNO is prepared to disclose all detailed information regarding the RM50 million raised through donations to pay the fine imposed on former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed that the funds were raised through crowdfunding, involving contributions from various parties, including UMNO members and non-members, as well as the party’s branches, divisions and state liaison committees.

He explained that the crowdfunding initiative was carried out in accordance with guidelines established within the existing organisational hierarchy.

“The initiative was undertaken to ensure that the guidelines were fully adhered to by the existing hierarchical structure.

“We are prepared to disclose all detailed information on the funds collected to the relevant authorities because we obtained guidelines from them and complied fully with those guidelines. The money was then channelled after being deposited into an account entrusted to UMNO Malaysia Headquarters,” he said.

He said this when met after the KEMAS Staff Gathering with Top Leadership programme here on Tuesday.

He was responding to calls for the government and authorities to investigate the money trail of the RM50 million collected to pay Najib’s fine.

Elaborating, the Deputy Prime Minister said the fundraising campaign launched by UMNO Headquarters had been closed after the collection reached the required RM50 million.

Ahmad Zahid added that the funds were subsequently channelled after being deposited into an account entrusted to UMNO Malaysia Headquarters.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said he would leave it to the court to decide on the application filed by the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) concerning the implementation of Najib’s house arrest.

He said the AGC was not merely seeking an interpretation of the decision made by the Pardons Board chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, but had also requested a review process.

However, Ahmad Zahid stressed that he did not want any action that could be perceived as an attempt to delay the implementation of the pardon granted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in His Majesty’s capacity as Chairman of the Pardons Board.

He said Article 42(9) of the Federal Constitution must be complied with and that the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong should not be challenged.

“All laws in this country are founded upon the Malaysian Constitution.

“And if something is enshrined in the Constitution, it must be fully complied with. Never challenge the absolute authority of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said.

On Friday, the media reported that UMNO had confirmed the RM50 million fine had been fully paid at the Kuala Lumpur High Court as a condition for Najib to serve his sentence under house arrest.

Astro AWANI