The Malaysian Insight

THE Kuala Lumpur High Court has dismissed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s suit to forfeit RM100,000 seized from Yayasan Persatuan Bekas Anggota Kemas Malaysia (PBAKM).

Justice Muhammad Jamil Hussin ruled that the government failed to determine that the money was part of or constituted fully former prime minister Najib Razak’s payment to the foundation.

The sum, seized last year, was linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd funds.

Jamil said PBAKM never denied receiving a cheque from Najib, and the foundation’s account saw numerous transactions after the RM100,000 was remitted on October 22, 2013.

As little as RM1,500 was left at one point, he said.

Deputy public prosecutor Nik Haslinie Hashim said the government will file a stay application.

Counsel Mohamed Azhari Matiasin and Julita Ilhani Abd Jabbar represented the foundation.

Meanwhile, Jamil set July 21 and 27 to hear the prosecution’s applications to forfeit RM2.7 million and RM677,000 from Selangor Umno and Johor Umno, respectively.

There was no response to a notice gazetted to interested third parties, the prosecution told the court.

Umno was represented by lawyers Syahrul Syazwan Salehin and R. Hanita.

Last June, MACC filed a civil forfeiture suit against 41 entities, comprising individuals, companies and political parties, under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act to recover RM270 million believed linked to the 1MDB scandal.

The anti-graft agency believes that the funds came from Najib’s accounts. – June 11, 2020.