Confiscated money is 'ours', says Umno

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has requested the police return the money confiscated from its former president Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak's house at Jalan Langgak Duta on recently, claiming it is part of the party's campaign funds.
The Umno Strategic Communications Unit said the funds were obtained from donations for GE14, and are also meant for Umno's management.
"It is disappointing when the remainder of Umno's funds for campaigning were confiscated while being transferred to the new Umno leadership following the resignation of Najib as Umno and BN president," it said in a statement on the party's official website this evening.
According to the Umno unit, political funding is allowed by their constitution.
"Therefore, Umno is working to restore these funds and requests that the police release the funds to the party as soon as the authorities complete their investigations.
"Umno is now in the process of rebuilding the party and the return of these funds will help strengthen the rebuilding process," it added.
The statement said when current Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had stepped down as Umno president, the latter had also handed back RM1.2 billion to the party and its three million members.
It was reported that police had seized RM130 million in cash and about RM200 million in gems from premises linked to Najib.
The cash and jewellery were recovered following raids that were part of police investigation into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.