Zahid says RM116.7mil seized Najib-linked cash belongs to Umno

PETALING JAYA (Oct 16): Umno has evidence to support its claim that the RM116.7 million seized in raids on premises that are tied to former prime minister Najib Razak belong to the party, said president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“We respect the views of the police. Nevertheless, we have taken legal action to claim the money seized and will follow the legal process which includes letting the court decide the matter.

“We will furnish evidence in court when the time comes,” he was quoted as saying by The Malaysian Insight.

Umno filed a suit against the police and the government on September 24 at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, seeking a declaration from the court that the raids and seizure by the police on Pavilion Residences on May 17 were illegal.

The news portal reports that the suit names the Government of Malaysia, Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun and Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Amar Singh Ishar Singh among the defendants.

Case management is set for November 1.

Najib previously said that the money belonged to Umno.

On another matter, The Edge Markets reports that Zahid, in responding to a question by a reporter whether Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent by-election win in Port Dickson would help realise a coalition between UMNO and PKR, said: “We have not made any move but we will continue to strengthen the opposition line. We will only bring forward issues of the Rakyat and we are confident that this issue is not a matter that would cause any anxiety to the people,” he told reporters at the sidelines of the parliament session.