MCA president Wee Ka Siong has a duty to check if the RM16.5 million given by then prime minister Najib Razak to the party for the 14^th general election had come from 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s (1MDB) coffers, said Lim Guan Eng.

The finance minister said that to date Wee had not stated MCA’s stand on the issue and does not want to investigate or take action to return the money if it was from 1MDB.

“He instead criticises me for not understanding the principles of legislation…that I don’t understand the law and should focus on administration.

“Wee had been a minister but he doesn’t really know the role of a finance minister,” said Lim during a press conference at his office in Putrajaya today.

The war of words between the two has been ongoing following Wee’s disclosure that he was not aware of party’s election funding, as it was the duty of his predecessor, Liow Tiong Lai, to collect funds.

Wee, who took over as MCA president in November, had said MCA had not received any 1MDB money since the day he became deputy president of MCA on December 21, 2013.

“Before that, I was not privy to such information. Only then MCA president (Chua) can give the answer,” he said.

Former MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek had been reported as saying recently said that Najib had given RM16.8 million to MCA for the 13th general election but he was unaware of its origin.

Following that revelation, Lim challenged Wee to check on the source of the party’s funds and return the money if it was from 1MDB.

Lim today urged Wee to check ohe source of the party’s funding.

“It is your responsibility. How can you just handle it like that?

“Don’t pretend, don’t lie. If the money is from 1MDB, then return the money.” 

Lim said that as citizens, everyone has to obey the law and ensure the government is free from corruption.

“We want to make sure those who rob the people must return the money to the government. As a minister, I am certainly not involved in the investigation.

“We leave it to the police and the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission to investigate.” – January 10, 2019.