RM600m from 1MDB transferred into Umno's accounts

PETALING JAYA: An alleged RM600 million from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was transferred into Umno's accounts, according to a report by an English daily today.
The exclusive report states that the freezing of bank accounts belonging to Umno's central and state chapters could be linked to this money trail which investigators are trying to establish.
It was also reported that the authorities are attempting to retrieve what remains of the funds.
The authorities investigating the controversial state investment firm have frozen 900 accounts belonging to Umno, individuals and organisations, as the probe into 1MDB widens.
One of the frozen accounts belongs to a prominent lawyer, according to the report.
A senior Umno leader also told the English daily that a sum amounting to millions of ringgit had been channelled through Umno several years ago.
The leader also said that during the probe on 1MDB under the previous Barisan Nasional administration, Umno's accounts had come under scrutiny.
In a statement issued yesterday, the 1MDB Special Task Force said the accounts were frozen over irregularities and misappropriation of funds from 1MDB.
Following Pakatan Harapan's victory at the May 9 polls, the new government formed a special task force specifically aimed to conduct a detailed probe into the state investment arm.
The task force is co-headed by four individuals, including former Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and former Malaysian-Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.
The other two leaders are the newly-minted MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull and former police Special Branch deputy director DCP Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador.
All of them had played significant roles in investigations related to 1MDB during the tenure of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak before they were either transferred, resigned or replaced.
The special task force is supported by agencies such as the MACC, the Attorney-General's Chamber, police, Bank Negara Malaysia, as well as several lawyers with expertise on related matters.