TWO groups are interested to rent the Selangor Umno building in Shah Alam, as the state chapter seeks more sources of income after its bank accounts were frozen after the May 9 general election.

Sources said Selangor Umno was considering to rent out its state headquarters to generate income and move into its old building in Jalan Ipoh.

The party used to govern Malaysia’s richest state until the 2008 general election and had to rely on the party headquarters for its funding.

But the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) froze Selangor Umno’s bank accounts following investigations into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal and claims that some of those funds were siphoned off for political activities.

“We thought the freeze would only be for three months but we are now looking at 12 months. Umno Selangor will have difficulties to operate in such a scenario,” said the source.

Former Umno president Najib Razak was charged last month with criminal breach of trust over money from 1MDB unit SRC International transferred in his personal accounts.

The former prime minister led his party to a historic defeat in the May 9 elections, marking the first change of government since Malaysia’s formation in 1963.

“We have two interested parties who want to rent the building in Shah Alam,” added the source.

When contacted, Selangor Umno deputy chairman Mat Nadzari Ahmad Dahalan said they were open to renting out the building but denied that the party was contemplating to sell its state headquarters.

“Who said so? Fake news. There is no question of us wanting to sell our state headquarters. And no such decision has been made,” he said.

“Even now we have tenants. No problem (renting out),” he said.

Ampang Umno division chief Ismail Kijo also denied talks that the state party will be moving out of the Shah Alam headquarters. 

“Nothing like that was discussed in our meetings,” he said.

Sg Besar Umno division head Jamal Md Yunos said the state chapter was only using a portion of the building.

He also said Umno members should understand the new political scenario and allow the leadership to strengthen the party. 

“And even if the state headquarters is to be let out for rental, so be it. We only use three floors right now. The rest is empty.

“Whoever wants to rent out the space, Umno can consider,” he said.

He added that the state Umno was not meeting on a daily basis for it to have a whole building as its headquarters.

“Selangor Umno has other assets, like the one in Jalan Ipoh. It will be good if we can cut down on our expenditure and have some extra income. We can have other activities to strengthen the party.” – August 23, 2018.