Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said has declined to weigh in on the claim that the RM2.6 billion donation was from a government leadership and not an individual.
“I can’t comment on that. That is a factual comment.
“For him to make that comment, I am sure he must have his reasons and verification,” she told reporters at the sidelines of the Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur.
Azalina was asked to comment on Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s claim that the colossal sum transferred into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s personal account originated from the leadership of a Middle East nation.
In an interview with Agenda Daily two days ago, Zahid said the contribution was made because of the trust in Umno to uplift Islam and oppose other sects apart from Sunnah Wal Jamaah.
“The person who gave is not an individual. But I don’t want to say (more).
“The government leadership (of that nation) has channelled bigger donations to other Islamic countries.
“Why do we need to question (their) sincerity? And that country did not ask for contracts or projects from us,” he was quoted as saying.
Yesterday, Zahid told reporters at the Umno meet that there was more than one donor following confusion as to whether the sum came from one or more individuals.
However, a source familiar with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation regarding the donation claimed otherwise.
The source told Malaysiakini that MACC obtained information that there was only a single donor and a team from the commission had met with the person.
The commission had earlier confirmed the RM2.6 billion was a donation based on documents procured regarding the transaction.
The confusion was a result of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak mentioning “donors” in several media interviews earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Azalina reiterated that the matter is under investigation and the attorney-general has advised against discussing the details.
“These are the facts of the matter,” she stressed.
Najib has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that there is a conspiracy to topple him.
His critics, however, refuse to accept the donation explanation, with his chief nemesis Dr Mahathir Mohamad arguing that Arabs are not so generous
Malaysiakini
