KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 — An anti-corruption group urged Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) today to launch an investigation into the RM2.6 billion contribution from donors in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s account, saying the purported donation could be a form of money laundering.
The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) director Cynthia Gabriel also said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should divulge more information on the source of the funds, which the commission had earlier confirmed was from “donors” and not from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) as previously claimed.
“The Anti-Money Laundering Act needs to be invoked immediately to examine if it was laundered money and illicit money that was transferred in the prime minister’s account.
“We urge Bank Negara to zero in on the issue,” she told Malay Mail Online over the phone.
Earlier today, MACC confirmed reports on the existence of such funds in Najib’s accounts although it said it had not originated from 1MDB.
The commission also did not disclose the identities of the donors or the purpose of the contribution, as well as how the money was spent.
“The report resulting from the investigation involving the RM2.6 billion has been referred and informed to the Attorney-General.
MACC also said its focus in the special task force on the scandal-plagued 1MDB is only on its subsidiary SRC International Sdn Bhd and the RM2.6 billion in question, while other aspects are left to the police and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
Gabriel also today joined calls for fresh legislation to be enacted to regulate political financing.
“Without a law governing political financing, we will continue to discover dubious donations to political parties,” she said.
