Use right channels, Umno told

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno must go through the proper channels to recover funds seized by police which the party is staking a claim to, says Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

The Inspector-General of Police said any such claim must be pursued by following proper procedures based on the rule of law.

“The investigation is ongoing and we need time to get to the bottom of the matter.

“If there is a proper application, then we will see the validity of the claim,” he said after presenting Hari Raya goodies to police personnel yesterday.

Mohamad Fuzi was responding to a statement issued by the Umno communications team on Thursday that the funds seized from residences linked with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak belonged to the party.

The statement said the Umno con­sti­­tution allowed its presidents to source for and manage party funds.

The Umno team claimed the funds were seized by police before they could be transferred to the party’s current leadership.

Closer ties: Mohamad Fuzi receiving cookies from chairman of Perkep (Police Family Association) Puan Sri Shahriza Saad Mansor during the handing over of Raya goodies in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur. Looking on are Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Comm Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah (second from right) and Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim.

Police had said the cash, which totalled RM114mil, was seized in connection with the investigation on 1MDB.

On the investigation, Mohamad Fuzi said Bukit Aman would extend its help to the specially set up task force and others.

“The investigation was never closed. We are investigating various aspects, including under the Penal Code, Companies Act, Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001,” he added.

On whether police would haul up former IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, he said: “So far, there is no action against him as the need does not arise. We will have to wait and see as the investigation progresses.”

On the Altantuya Shariibuu murder controversy, Mohamad Fuzi said Bukit Aman had not reopened the case.

“There has been no new police report lodged on the matter,” he said.

Former police officer Sirul Azhar Umar, who is now in Australian custody, has claimed he was ordered by “important people” to murder the 28-year-old Mongolian here in 2006.