The Malaysian Insight

SEVERAL Umno divisions are being investigated under the anti-money laundering act for allegedly receiving money from the scandal-ridden 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Former Kelantan Umno chief Mustapa Mohamed, who quit the party on Tuesday, last night confirmed that he and several other state Umno leaders had been called in by police for questioning over funds they allegedly received from 1MDB.

The Malaysian Insight has sighted a notice that was sent to the Batu Umno division, requesting that its leaders turn up for questioning at the Commercial Crime Investigation Department next week.

A highly placed source in the 1MDB task force confirmed that police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) are working to reclaim all the money allegedly stolen from the state investor.

“We are tracing each sen that was taken from the people, in relation to 1MDB.

“Each sen, no matter who got it and where the money is,” said the source when pressed if Umno and its members are being questioned.

Yesterday, former Umno president Najib Razak was slapped with four counts of corruption under the MACC Act and another 21 charges under anti-money laundering laws.

The charge sheets ascertained that Umno, a property developer and two companies were among the recipients of illegal proceeds from Najib, with the Malay party being the biggest beneficiary, having received a cheque for RM20 million on August 2, 2013.

The money was transferred from the former prime minister’s personal account at AmIslamic Bank.

Umno insiders told The Malaysian Insight that more division leaders will be called up, and this could be the reason for several having quit the party recently.

“They are trying to strike a deal with the ruling party before the authorities come down on them,” said Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam.

“Tok Pa (Mustapa) quit Umno after he was questioned by police for three days.

“He was given a choice – quit the party or face the consequences of the investigations into him.”

Earlier, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa had said Mustapa was questioned by the authorities, adding that the Jeli MP did not leave the party over its new direction or its ties with PAS.

Mustapa in a statement yesterday said he had cooperated with police, who carried out their job professionally. He said he will continue to assist police in their investigations.

His departure was not the only one to rock the party this week. A day after he quit, Sabah Umno veteran and Kimanis MP Anifah Aman left, citing the party’s failure to return the state’s rights.

More MPs from Umno are expected to leave the party in the coming weeks, with several big names being bandied about. A list of 17 lawmakers who are ready to jump ship is making the rounds on social media.

However, several of them have denied this, with former ministers Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz and Khairy Jamaluddin saying they will remain in Umno.

As part of the ongoing 1MDB probe, the authorities have frozen Umno’s bank accounts. – September 21, 2018.