MP: I never received any money from 1MDB

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan maintained that he had never received any form of money from 1MDB but acknowledged that he was investigated by the authorities over the matter.

The former deputy international trade and industry minister said he was previously probed by the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for allegedly receiving a cheque from 1MDB.

However, he said he has signed a document by the police and the MACC in declaring that he has never received any money from 1MDB.

“First it was investigations by the police and then by the MACC. I informed them that I have never received the cheque which was shown to me by the police and the MACC.

“I have also signed a document by the police and the MACC stating that I have not received the amount of money stated.

“I will discuss with my lawyer for the next action,” the Pontian MP said, reading out a statement during a press conference yesterday.

He refused to elaborate further.

Ahmad’s remarks came following reports that the MACC is seeking to recover RM420mil from 80 individuals and entities which received money from 1MDB.

Former Johor Baru MP Tan Sri Shahrir Samad said he had not received any official notice from the MACC on the matter.

“I am still waiting. It would have sufficed if they sent a WhatsApp message to notify me but there was none,” he said yesterday.

Shahrir said he had always maintained that he received political funding from then Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and not from 1MDB.

Under the law, the MACC had the jurisdiction to freeze the accounts for a year and that one year had already expired, he added.

“I supposed that is why they are moving to compound the funds. However, the move to compound could only be made once court proceedings have concluded.

“It is strange that there is no evidence nor admission of guilt presented,” he said.

Shahrir said he is also bewildered by the latest action by MACC when the court proceedings involving Najib and 1MDB are still going on.“Shouldn’t they wait until it is clearly proven that funds received by various parties are from 1MDB and not another source?” he asked.

Selangor MCA secretary Datuk Ng Chok Sin said they had yet to receive any letters or notification regarding the matter.

MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran said the party would cooperate with MACC but that any action would have to be under the ambit of the law.

“As far as I am concerned, it was not during my time. It was a very long ago,” he said.

Many other entities that included political parties, companies and individuals contacted claimed ignorance and declined to comment on the matter until they had more information.