THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will question former prime minister Najib Razak on his claims that the RM3.5million stolen by security personnel from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) belongs to Umno, said The Star, today.

The anti-graft agency wishes to find out if “there is any more Umno money” at the PMO, why no one had asked for the money to be returned to the party, and if there had been any attempt to get the money from the current occupiers of the PMO.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki said Najib’s claim that the money belonged to his party begged further explanation.

“We would like to get an explanation about his claim. If he indeed said it was Umno’s money that was taken by the men, then this needs to be explained,” Azam told The Star.

Azam said the MACC was investigating the case instead of the police because the security personnel suspected of taking the money, who were all civil servants, had access to a secure area and had abused their power.

“They allegedly abused their positions and misappropriated funds and that is why we are looking into this case.”

On August 8, 17 security personnel were remanded for five days for allegedly appropriating the cash, believed to be Barisan Nasional’s campaign funds, when they learnt that the coalition was losing the general election.

Following the arrests, Najib told Malaysiakini the RM3.5 million belonged to Umno.

He had demanded that the money, along with RM114 million, which was seized by police last month a series of raids, be returned to Umno. – August 11, 2018.