Muhyiddin, Shafie got lion’s share of Najib’s donation money: Minister

KUALA LUMPUR — Two former United Malays National Organisation (Umno) senior leaders-turned-opposition politicians were the biggest beneficiaries of a controversial RM2.6 billion (S$838 million) donation received by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, said a senior federal minister yesterday.

Tourism Minister Nazri Aziz said the two were the party’s former deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin and former vice-president Shafie Apdal.

The money was given to the leaders’ divisions and branches for party activities.

“I admit I received (some of the money). I am the Padang Rengas Umno division head. Najib told my Umno division ... each branch receives RM5,000 each to repair homes. I got it. I’m not lying. I got about RM1 million. I still got it,” Mr Nazri said.

“This one, Muhyiddin also got. Shafie also got. The money for Shafie’s division was even more. 400 over branches ... he even got more than me. Muhyiddin also received more than me. Muhyiddin got, I think his branches were more than 100.”

Mr Nazri said at that time, both Mr Muhyiddin and Mr Shafie did not raise their concerns over the origins of the money. “Shafie and Muhyiddin never questioned Najib ... ‘eh Najib, where you got the money from?’ Both of them were quiet.”

Both Mr Muhyiddin and Mr Shafie were dropped from the Malaysian Cabinet last year after they openly criticised Mr Najib’s government’s handling of troubled state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad as well as the RM2.6 billion being deposited into the premier’s private accounts. Mr Najib had consistently maintained he has not used the funds for personal gain, and has since been cleared of any criminal offence.

Malaysia’s Attorney-General said last year the money in Mr Najib’s bank accounts was a political donation from the Saudi royal family, and that the bulk of it has been returned.

Mr Muhyiddin was subsequently sacked from Umno, while Mr Shafie quit the Malay ruling party. They went on to form offshoots Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and Parti Warisan Sabah respectively.

Defending the prime minister, Mr Nazri said yesterday that Mr Najib did not violate any laws by having the money banked into his personal account. “Crediting money into personal account is good. Why? Because he (Najib) will know how much he spent,” he said.

Elaborating, he said Mr Najib spent RM99 million from the donated sum for the 2013 general election alone.

Overall expenditure totalled RM600 million, which encompassed pre-election activities right up to polling day, he added. MALAY MAIL ONLINE