MACC says met RM2.6b donor, but mum on identity
(Malay Mail Online) – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said it recently met with the Middle East donor of the RM2.6 billion said to have been deposited into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s private bank accounts, according to a New Straits Times (NST) report today.
But the newspaper also cited MACC investigations division director Datuk Azam Baki as saying that he was not able to disclose further details, including the donor’s identity as the probe has yet to be concluded.
“Investigations into the case are still ongoing. Once we have completed our investigation, we will hand over the findings to the Deputy Public Prosecutor, who will decide on the next course of action,” he was quoted as saying to reporters at an event in Kota Baru, Kelantan today.
He reiterated the MACC’s promise to provide updates from time to time on the investigation.
Azam was also reported saying he will probe leaked information on social media on MACC officials’ visit to the Middle East.
On August 5, MACC said the RM2.6 billion came from the Middle East, adding that it had obtained an explanation from the givers regarding the “donation” which the anti-graft body said is unrelated to state-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which is being separately scrutinised by the Auditor-General and Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee.
According to the MACC then, it had found four letters that were given to the bank when the RM2.6 billion amount was deposited into Najib’s account, with the bank documents stating that the contribution was a “donation”.
On December 3, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi read out a statement prepared by Najib to the Dewan Rakyat, saying the identity of the donor of the RM2.6 billion amount cannot be revealed as the case is still being investigated by Malaysian authorities.
“However, we feel that we must inform the House that the MACC has identified the donor, and that Bank Negara Malaysia has also been informed on the opening of the bank account,” the statement said.
Last Saturday, the MACC said it recorded Najib’s statement on the RM2.6 billion deposited into his accounts in 2013 and SRC International Sdn Bhd, adding that he had cooperated well in the meeting that lasted two and a half hours.
SRC International was formerly a subsidiary of 1MDB, but is now parked under the Finance Ministry headed by Najib.
The RM2.6 billion figure first surfaced through a US-based paper Wall Street Journal’s report in July on the purported discovery by government investigators of a money trail of that amount ending in Najib’s accounts.
Najib has said that he has not taken public funds for personal gain, but the RM2.6 billion controversy has remained the centre of media and public attention.
