DAP’s Tony Pua has called on the authorities to audit donations raised to pay the RM50 million fine imposed on former prime minister Najib Razak, saying the funds must be checked to ensure they were legitimate and not laundered.
The former Damansara MP said an audit by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was necessary to establish the source of the funds.
Earlier today, Umno announced that it had settled Najib’s fine after collecting sufficient contributions through a donation drive launched in September.
Pua questions Umno’s decision
Pua also questioned Umno’s decision to use the money to settle Najib’s fine, arguing that it could instead have been channelled towards helping ordinary Malaysians.
By choosing to allow Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, “Umno colours shine very brightly”, he said in a Facebook post.
Najib’s sentence and royal pardons
Najib was jailed in August 2022 after the Federal Court upheld his conviction for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million in SRC International funds.
He was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and fined RM210 million.
In January 2024, then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah halved Najib’s prison sentence and reduced his fine to RM50 million as part of a royal pardon.
In September this year, the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, granted Najib a further conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028.
The arrangement was subject to Najib paying the RM50 million fine and complying with other stipulated conditions.
