THE Kuala Lumpur High Court has dismissed the government’s bid to freeze RM192 million in Umno’s bank account pending an appeal over its forfeiture.

Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan also dismissed similar applications with regard to funds in the accounts of Wanita MCA, Perano Sdn Bhd and Binsabi Sdn Bhd.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had sought to seize RM300,000, RM337,634.78 and RM827,250 from Wanita MCA, Perano and Binsabi, respectively.

In his ruling today, Zaini said the government failed to prove that Umno is insolvent and unable to pay the RM192 million should the appellate court rule against it.

The party’s lawyer, Hariharan Tara Singh, assured that Umno has “sufficient assets” and is not at risk of insolvency.

The party has spent RM59 million in the 18 months since the forfeiture, with RM3.3 million used per month to pay the wages of 300 staff members, the court heard.

Among Umno’s assets is the Putra World Trade Centre building, valued at about RM450 million, said deputy public prosecutor Samihah Rhazali.

The government’s lawyers argued that there is no guarantee the assets can be seized again should the appellate court rule in their favour.

Samihah said she will await instructions from the attorney-general on whether to appeal against today’s decision.

Zaini in February dismissed the government’s bid to forfeit RM192,965,413.65 from Umno, saying the balance in the party’s account as of May last year was not linked to money allegedly deposited by Najib Razak when he was Umno president.

“There is nothing left of the money deposited by (Najib) in the account.”

Umno, in its submission, said the money had long been used up, going towards the 2018 general election, among others.

The Court of Appeal will hear on June 29 the appeal against Zaini’s February decision.

Umno, Wanita MCA, Perano and Binsabi are among the 41 organisations and individuals from which MACC hopes to recover RM270 million linked to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal. – June 19, 2020.