Umno appeals to use money in frozen accounts

BAGAN DATUK: Umno has filed an application with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for some of the frozen party accounts to be opened and utilised for administrative and payroll purposes.
Acting Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the application was submitted to the MACC yesterday by party secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor with a line-up of appointed lawyers.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk MP, was speaking to reporters after opening the Bagan Datuk Umno divisional delegates' meeting here today.
Yesterday the media reports said MACC had already frozen 900 bank accounts linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal involving Umno-owned accounts.
Meanwhile, in Alor Star, the Kedah Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said the move to freeze central Umno and Kedah Umno's accounts, which involved accounts in 15 state divisions, had resulted in the party having no financial resources for the purpose of paying expenses.
"So, we ask that the MACC allows Umno to withdraw some of the money in the account, and we will provide a report on the amount of expenditure required so the sum issued is not excessive but do not freeze them permanently," he told reporters when asked to comment on the freezing of Umno's accounts by MACC.
Meanwhile in Malacca, the Malacca Umno Liaison Committee had not received any notice or instruction from any authorities on investigations into the state Umno's accounts, its chairman Datuk Seri Idris Haron said.
"I have checked the status of the Malacca Umno bank accounts yesterday and found them ok," he told reporters after officiating the Tangga Batu Umno division delegates meeting here today.
In Kuala Nerus, State Umno Liaison Committee chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the party was ready to cooperate with MACC to investigate the organisation's account on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) issue.
"Umno Terengganu has not been contacted by the MACC or any banks to inform it on the freeze of the state Umno account(s)," he told reporters after officiating the Kuala Nerus Umno division delegates meeting here today.
In Seremban, the Negri Sembilan Umno and Rembau Umno division's accounts were not involved in the freezing of assets by MACC, said State Umno Liaison Committee chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
"As of yesterday evening, I have asked the office to check with the bank on the condition of the Umno Liaison and Rembau division's accounts, nothing (has transpired)," he told reporters.
In Johor Baru, the action to investigate the frozen Umno accounts under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA) was not appropriate as the act should not be used for political parties.
Johor Baru Umno division chief Tan Sri Shahrir Abd Samad told Bernama at the Johor Baru Umno division delegates meeting that it gave a bad impression that the source of Umno party funds was from criminal activities.
Meanwhile, Perak Umno Liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said Umno must find a solution especially financially after the party's accounts were frozen.
The former menteri besar said a solution must be found as the freeze could hamper the movements of the party including to hold meetings which required funds. — Bernama