UMNO leaders should not hold the party’s money or receive any donations, as the party will be perceived as being corrupt, said Tengku Razaleigh Tengku Hamzah.

The Gua Musang lawmaker said there should be a revamp of the party’s finances, with money channelled directly to the party for transparency’s sake.

“We should have stringent control of how money is used. No member should collect money as donations, even for the party.

“All payments for donations must be made to Umno’s name. Not to the names of personalities, or people holding positions of authority,” Tengku Razaleigh said when met at Parliament today.

The authorities previously seized RM110 million from the private residence of former prime minister Najib Razak, who was also Umno’s former president.

Umno has since claimed that the money belonged to the party, and Najib was holding it for  use in the 14th general elections.

Tengku Razaleigh said the party was good, and was only affected by certain individuals.

“Umno has done well for the people. There is nothing untoward as far as Umno is concerned, except for a few (leaders) with their leadership styles and habits. The way the leadership, at all levels, behaves in public has much to be desired.”

However, Tengku Razaleigh, better known as Ku Li, reiterated that Umno was tainted with money politics that had to be curbed.

“It is more of money politics. People are throwing money. That raises suspicion of corrupt practices. Where do they get all this money? I’m against it.”

The Umno veteran went against Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Khairy Jamaluddin in the recent party presidential race, but lost.

Ku Li said money politics played a role in the polls when Zahid was named as Umno’s new president. – July 19, 2018.