Najib: Opposition parties should not be 'victimised'

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is deeply saddened by the Pakatan Harapan Government's decision to freeze the accounts of several political parties, including Umno and Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP).

The former prime minister said it was unfortunate that a Pakatan Harapan MP had urged the Government to freeze the accounts of other political parties, including MCA, MIC and Gerakan.

The Pekan MP reiterates that political parties are innocent.

"Umno and SUPP are not guilty of any wrongdoing. Just like other political parties, including the ones in Pakatan, it is a norm to receive political funds.

"Under current laws, there is no clause that states it is wrong to receive political funds," he said in statement on Saturday.

Najib also question how a political party can verify the source of their funds.

"Can Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and DAP confirm that their funds are not from donors who are involved in illegal activities or black economy," he asked.

Najib said he welcomed any investigation on him but urged that political parties are not "victimised".

"Freezing the bank accounts will jeopardise a party's activities and the transformation of an opposition party.

"It will also bring hardship to party workers and members as well as their families," he said, adding that such unwarranted action would also disrupt community-oriented activities.

The freezing of the accounts will have a huge impact towards the country's biggest party and disrupt the emergence of an effective opposition.

"This unwarranted action can be viewed as an attack and denial of the basics of democracy," he added.