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RM2.6b donation to Najib invites suspicion, group says

KUALA LUMPUR — The mysterious RM2.6 billion (S$930 million) donation to Prime Minister Najib Razak can raise questions on whether money laundering was involved, a group said today (Aug 5) in pushing for the regulation of political financing.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks at the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 4, 2015. Photo: Reuters

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks at the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 4, 2015. Photo: Reuters

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KUALA LUMPUR — The mysterious RM2.6 billion (S$930 million) donation to Prime Minister Najib Razak can raise questions on whether money laundering was involved, a group said today (Aug 5) in pushing for the regulation of political financing.

The Centre for A Better Tomorrow (CENBET), which promotes good governance and moderation, said proper guidelines on political contributions must be drawn up based on standards in developed countries, such as public disclosure on the sources of funds and how the money is used.

“It is unusual for foreign entities to donate huge sums. This can give rise to questions about whether there’re any elements of money laundering, foreign interference and security risks,” CENBET co-president Gan Ping Sieu said in a statement.

“For the first time, we learn of political donations to the tune of billions of ringgit, transferred into an individual's account. This has given rise to suspicion about whether there are any strings attached, or the donor's motives, given the staggering amount,” he added.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said yesterday that the RM2.6 billion channelled to Mr Najib’s personal bank account did not come from state-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad as alleged, but that it was a donation, without specifying who the donors were or how the money was used.

UMNO supreme council member Mr Abdul Rahman Dahlan said yesterday that it was better for Mr Najib, who is also UMNO president, to hold the party's money and assets in a trust account as it was more secure than having the funds parked under proxies. MALAY MAIL ONLINE

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