Umno moves to recover RM116mil seized by police

PUTRAJAYA: Umno has appointed a team of lawyers to claim its RM116.7mil political fund that was seized by the police.

Scivetti & Associates, along with a team of lawyers led by Datuk Hariharan Tara Singh, had been appointed to ensure this, said Umno head of legal unit Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

“The team of lawyers is going through all the legal aspects pertaining to the claim on the political fund.

“They are also considering other matters, including procedures and legal action that can be taken by Umno against the parties, in the process of claiming the party’s money,” she said in a statement.

Azalina said the Umno headquarters’ legal team would be making the necessary application to the authorities, especially the police, to obtain and recover related information needed to support its claim.

Police seized the cash during its raids at Pavilion Residences as part of investigations into 1MDB.

Following the discovery of the money there, Umno claimed that it belonged to the party.

The Umno communications team said the party was seeking to recover funds it claimed were for transfer to the Umno’s acting leadership following Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s resignation as president.

It said the party constitution allowed for its president to source and manage party funds, including for the general elections.

Two weeks ago, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission froze hundreds of accounts – including that of Umno and its leaders – as part of the 1MDB investigations.