One question which Malaysians are asking all over the country is why none of the leaders of MCA, Gerakan, MIC or the other Barisan Nasional component parties dare to claim that the RM114 million in 26 currencies seized by the Police from the Pavilion Residences are Barisan Nasional assets and not just UMNO assets?

This question reflects the nature for the so-called Barisan Nasional coalition, where one party is the hegemon and the other 12 component parties are mere minnows.

But other questions about the UMNO claim for the return of RM114 million in 26 currencies seized by the Police on the ground that they were being transferred to the new UMNO leadership following Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s resignation as UMNO President cry for answer from the new UMNO leadership, viz:

1. Why is the new UMNO leadership headed by Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein keeping strangely silent on this issue – is the UMNO claim made on behalf of the UMNO Supreme Council or a by a proxy on behalf of Najib?

2. If the claim is made by UMNO, does UMNO know how much of the RM114 million in 26 currency belonged to UMNO?

3. If this claim is not made with the sanction or authority of the new UMNO leadership, will the UMNO leadership repudiate such a claim – or it dare not say whether the claim is made with or without its authority and approval?

4. Will the new UMNO leadership demonstrate that it is now committed to the principles of integrity, transparnecy and accountability, and ask the police to investigate the source of the RM114 million in 26 currencies seized from the Pavilion Residences, whether they were legitimate or not, and whether any money was given in return for certain projects awarded to them?

UMNO has still to clarify whether its claim is limited to the RM114 million in 26 currencies from 35 bags seized by the police, or whether it extended to the 35 bags with jewellery and watches and the 284 boxes of designer handbags.

Be that as it may, these ill-gotten gains will be an acid test whether UMNO can break from its kleptocratic past and start anew as a clean and honest political party dedicated to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability or whether there is way that UMNO can reform itself.

(Media Statement on Saturday, 26th May 2018)