PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has filed civil forfeiture applications against 41 people and entities, including Umno, to recover RM270 million allegedly taken from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya said the funds were allegedly transferred from the personal Ambank account of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“The forfeiture applications were filed under Section 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Wednesday.
The hearing of the 41 applications will be heard separately on June 25, July 10, July 21 and July 24 as it involves so many,” she said.
During the press conference, Latheefa’s first since taking over as chief commissioner, she said Umno was the largest recipient from the sum, with RM212 million transferred to various party divisions.
Apart from Umno, she said many other foundations, individuals and companies also received the money.
Latheefa added that the commission had moved to file civil forfeitures because there were provisions under AMLA to recover the money without prosecuting.
“These 41 individuals will not be prosecuted because this is not a criminal prosecution. If we were to go on a prosecution, it might take time because it involves many people.
“Since (AMLA) is clear and we have alternative ways of recovering the money, we will go for the most pragmatic way.”
Latheefa also gave her assurances that steps would be taken if there were any cases of individuals who had more than just received money.
“These (41) cases we have identified are those clear-cut third parties who have received money,” she added.
Latheefa said, after learning about the civil forfeiture applications, two individuals had stepped forward and returned RM2 million.
Under AMLA, she said, the recipient could not use the excuse of having been “shocked or surprised” that the money had been transferred into their accounts without taking any steps to find and verify the source of the money, report the matter and declare it.
However, she said the respondents named in the applications could challenge them and had a number of way of doing so.
“(Among the ways are to prove that) the bank account doesn’t belong to them, they had taken steps to verify the money, among others... (in such cases), they can file an affidavit in court,” she said.
Latheefa also said that some RM919 million from the 1MDB scandal had been recovered so far, including from Hollywood film production company Red Granite, Park Lane Hotel in New York and several others through the United States Department of Justice (DoJ).
“These monies were given voluntarily by 11 entities, to an account set up by the Finance Ministry, for the monies recovered from the 1MDB,” she added.
The 41 respondents in MACC’s civil forfeiture application are:
1. Ibrahim Awang Ismail
2. Kasitah Gaddam
3. Ismail Abd Muttalib
4. Hasan Malek
5. Sim Sai Hoon
6. Abdul Manan Ismail
7. Pertubuhan Kebajikan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Pekida)
8. Akademi Pemuda
9. Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS)
10. Yayasan Permata Malaysia
11. Yayasan Tun Hussein Onn
12. Umno Kelantan liaison committee
13. Umno Pekan
14. Gerakan Belia Gagasan 1Malaysia
15. Pahang MCA state liaison committee
16. Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP)
17. Wanita MCA
18. Sabah Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
19. Yayasan PBAKM
20. Binsabi Sdn Bhd
21. Rayhar Travels Sdn Bhd
22. K&Z Enterprise Sdn Bhd
23. IPG Mediabrands Sdn Bhd
24. Media Edge CIA (M) Sdn Bhd
25. Hattatex Trading
26. Jakel Trading
27. Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd
28. Perano Sdn Bhd
29. AGA Touch (M) Sdn Bhd
30. Habib Jewels Sdn Bhd
31. Naza Quest Auto Sdn Bhd
32. Umno Selangor liaison committee
33. Umno Pahang liaison committee
34. Umno Kedah liaison committee
35. Umno Johor liaison committee
36. Barisan Nasional Johor Baru
37. Umno Sabah liaison committee
38. Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu
39. Bustari Yusof
40. Yayasan Penyelidikan Transformasi
41. Yayasan Rahah