THE new Umno leadership will discuss the fate of Umno’s new headquarters which had been planned for development in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle, said party secretary-general Annuar Musa.
“We have not discussed it yet. Our main concern is our immediate needs. There is a new leadership, there will be new thinking and a new direction,” Annuar told The Malaysian Insight in an exclusive interview.
He said the party’s priority now was to recover the RM116.7 million was seized from premises linked to former prime minister and former Umno president Najib Razak by the authorities investigating the 1Malaysia Development Bhd financial scandal.
Najib had on the party’s 71st anniversary last year launched the landmark project which will see Umno getting a new home in a 70-storey tower adjacent to the present headquarters.
The ground-breaking ceremony at the project site in Jalan Putra was recorded and screened live at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, where the anniversary celebration was held,
The new Umno headquarters is to be in the tower at the Putra World Trade Centre, which is to be reveloped. The project will also see the refurbishment of Merdeka Hall and Menara Dato Onn, where the current party headquarters is housed.
The 70-storey office and hotel tower will be built on the site of the existing Hentian Putra Bus Terminal and carpark. The project is expected to be completed in 2020.
Following the defeat of Barisan Nasional in GE14, however, Umno is looking to chart a new path as an opposition party with a much reduced income.
Annuar said Umno was considering suing the authorities, including the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission, over the seizure of the RM116.7 million.
“We are going to follow due process. We have appointed solicitors. Our lawyers are taking action against MACC or anybody that is involved in the confiscation of the money.
“As far as we concerned, after the elections, there was a lot of political funds (left over); the balance was kept by certain parties and the money was confiscated,” he said in the interview.
Najib and Umno have claimed the money belonged to the party.
In June, Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Amar Singh Ishar Singh said RM116.7 million in 26 currencies, packed in 35 bags, were seized in raids conducted as part of investigations into 1MDB.
Luxury items including 12,000 pieces of jewellery, 423 watches, 234 sunglasses and 284 handbags were also seized.
Umno was not interested in the jewellery and handbags, said Annuar.
“That has nothing to do with us. Umno does not wear earrings and rings. It does not belong to us and we do not want to know about it,” he said.
On the party’s financial situation, Annuar said donors saw to the party’s everyday needs.
“We have our members. Three million members in total and we also have people indebted to Umno. So when we need some money, people will assist.
“I’m sure there are many people willing to assist and stay with us while we continue our struggle. We will survive, don’t worry,” Annuar said.
Najib resigned as the Umno president following BN’s defeat in GE14. His former deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is the new party chief. – August 11, 2018.
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