Umno AGM: Najib touches on RM2.6bil donation at closed-door briefing
BY AKIL YUNUSandRAHIMY RAHIM THE STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak addressed the RM2.6bil political donation and the 1Malaysia Development Berhad issue, as well as economic challenges facing Malaysia at a closed-door briefing for Umno delegates ahead of the party's general assembly.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Najib, who is Umno president, shed light on the source of the RM2.6bil donation, adding that the delegates were satisfied with the explanations given.
"The RM2.6bil, the donors were identified by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and explanations were given.
"The Umno president said the donors provided the contribution without expecting anything in return," Dr Ahmad Zahid told reporters after the closed-door briefing that lasted an hour.
Zahid, who is Deputy Prime Minister, said that regarding 1MDB, Najib had explained the sale of the power assets under Edra Global Energy Berhad to China Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN).
"The Government had to reject the offer made by Tenaga Nasional Berhad as it was RM2.3bil lower than the offer made by CGN.
"If TNB was given the tender, it would have been seen as a bailout for 1MDB," added Dr Ahmad Zahid.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who was also present at the press conference, said there was positive acceptance of Najib's explanation by the delegates present at the meeting on Tuesday night.
"The current issues dominating the conversation were raised to avoid it from being polemicised and dividing the party," he said.
The third party vice-president, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, did not join his counterparts at the joint press conference and was seen leaving the Putra World Trade Centre as soon as the briefing ended
