LGE: You're not off the hook just because you're not in MACC list of 41

PUTRAJAYA: Parties not named in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) civil forfeiture list of 41 entities should not think they are getting away scot-free, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

According to him, the list of 41 respondents in MACC's civil forfeiture suit was just the beginning, with more recipients of illicit monies yet to be named.

"Just because your name is not in that early list of 41, you are free?

"For example, the press club in Penang was not listed, but they admitted they received the money and have said they would make an effort to return it," said Lim to reporters here.

Lim said this when he was asked to comment on PAS Youth's remarks that the party was owed an apology for past allegations that it was a recipient of 1MDB money.

Lim urged those who had received money from 1MDB to voluntarily return it to the Finance Ministry.

"If they are merely recipients and were not aware that the money they received was from 1MDB, and if they had nothing to do with Jho Low or other criminals, then we allow them to just pay back.

"And they must be able to explain to MACC as well," said Lim.

Recently, the Penang Press Club said it received a donation of RM50,000 from the now-defunct 1Malaysia Penang Welfare Club during the 13th General Election in 2013.

The club said it was discussing ways to return the money to the government.