No exact figure yet on seized cash

Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun. -filepic

PUTRAJAYA: The counting of cash in various currencies seized from the Pavilion Residences last week – believed to be worth over RM10mil – is still ongoing.

While it is impossible to ascertain how much more cash has yet to be counted, sources said Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department officers were still counting the seized items with assistance from other agencies, including Bank Negara.

“It involves many different currencies so the process is very tedious.

“Police personnel must also record each banknote seized,” said a source.

On Monday, officers at the CCID office in Menara 238 along Jalan Tun Razak had begun counting the cash early in the morning.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun confirmed that the counting process had not been completed.

Asked if more people were expected to be called up over the investigation, he said the police would do so should there be a need.

“The police must be given time to thoroughly investigate the matter,” he said.

On reports that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had lodged a police complaint saying that he feared threats against his life and those of his family, he said police had placed enough personnel for his security.

“We have and will always ensure the safety of all, including the former prime minister.

“If there is a need to increase security, then we will look into it,” he said.

On Friday, police had seized 284 boxes filled with designer handbags, watches, jewellery and cash in various currencies from three luxury condominiums here, the value of which was impossible to estimate due to its sheer volume.

The raids were part of police investigations into 1MDB.

This followed a check on six locations linked to Najib, including the Prime Minister’s Office, his official residence as well as other premises.

In a police report, Najib had claimed that the cash seized from the Pavilion Residences were donations from his friends and meant for Barisan Nasional’s election campaign.

Lawyer Andrew Khoo said Najib would now have to prove his claims by stating the source and the amount of the money he received as donations.

Even then, he would still need to prove that these donations were not a corrupt practice and that they were not received for ulterior or improper motives, said Khoo.

He said the problem now was that Malaysia’s system of political donations was unregulated and the source of money unknown.

“They can show that it has not come from unlawful activities. So, if the donation can be linked back to proceeds of criminal activity, then it is ‘dirty money’,” he said.