Umno can’t complain if Beijing ‘donates’ to Chinese parties here, former minister says

(Malay Mail Online) – Umno is in no position to complain if China were to consider making “donations” to Malaysian Chinese parties out to challenge the Barisan Nasional lynchpin’s dominance as the Malay party itself is the alleged recipient of such aid, former minister Tan Sri Sanusi Junid (pic) said today.

The Umno veteran said he would not be surprised if the Chinese government decides to back Chinese parties here, especially after the perceived slight against the country’s ethnic Chinese by Sungai Besar Umno division chief Datuk Jamal Md Yunos in recent weeks.

“The Chinese ambassador was unhappy with Jamal’s statement telling the Chinese to go back to China,” he said in his speech at a high-tea talk with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad organised by the Pusat Bandar Taman Cempaka Umno branch here.

“Don’t be surprised if they deposit ‘donations’ into the accounts of Chinese party leaders to go against Umno Malays, when we set the example for such donations,” he  added.

Sanusi did not make any direct reference, but was likely referring to the RM2.6 billion donation from the Middle East deposited into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s private bank accounts.

Najib has been implicated in corruption investigations into state-owned investment fund 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) after US-based Wall Street Journal reported in July some US$700 million was funnelled through several government entities into the prime minister’s personal bank accounts two months before the tumultuous May 5, 2013 general elections.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has since announced that the money deposited into Najib’s accounts was a donation from a Middle Eastern source.

The prime minister has also denied using any public money, including from 1MDB for personal benefit, though questions have mounted over the source and purpose of the funds.