UMNO will fight it out in court to prove it is the rightful owner of funds that have been frozen by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, said Mohamad Hasan.

The party’s acting president said it is MACC procedure to freeze and forfeit funds as part of investigations, and that Umno will respond according to the law.

He said the Barisan Nasional lynchpin had written to the anti-graft agency when it seized the funds last year as part of its probe into 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Graft-busters in six countries have estimated that more than US$4 billion (RM16.6 billion) was embezzled from the state investor when its advisory board was headed by former prime minister and Umno president Najib Razak.

“They (MACC) are executing their responsibility, and we (Umno) have to do our part. When we reach one year, the court will decide. Both parties will submit their arguments, and it’s up to the court to listen to both sides’ arguments and decide,” Mohamad told reporters in Kuantan today.

MACC chief Latheefa Koya today revealed that it has filed a civil forfeiture suit to recover RM270 million in 1MDB funds from 41 individuals.

She said the 41 are from Umno, and various foundations and companies.

It is the largest such suit in Malaysian history, she said, adding that the funds were disbursed from Najib’s bank account.

Of the RM270 million, RM212 million was received by Umno.

Shortly after MACC filed the application, RM2 million was returned, said Latheefa.

She said the respondents may not be charged under the Anti-Money Laundering Act if they extend cooperation.

Mohamad said Umno’s lawyers have prepared arguments to prove that the party is the legal owner of the funds it received. – June 21, 2019.