The cash totalling RM116.7 million seized from Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in June was probably obtained illegally, according to Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim.
He said the police had seized the sum as evidence, and its storage had led them to believe that the money could have been procured illegally.
“Based on the investigations so far and on the statements recorded, we believe the money was acquired through unlawful means
“We will need time to verify all items seized pertaining to the investigation, as the scale of the case is huge,” Noor Rashid said.
He was commenting on Umno’s application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court to claim the RM116.7 million cash seized from Pavilion Residences in June, which the party said was theirs.
In its statement of claim, Umno is seeking a declaration that the search and seizure of the cash on May 17 was illegal.
It claimed that despite seeking the return of the cash from the defendants, the defendants had failed to return the money.
It also claimed that the sum consisted of election funds and that it was held by the then Umno president, Najib, and that no other party member had access to it nor have knowledge of the funds.
The High Court has set October 15 for case management of the suit.
“The Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 provides a one-year period for police to hold on to evidence, and the court can decide to take action on the money under criminal proceedings or under civil forfeiture after that,” Noor Rashid said.
He added that there are only three possibilities of what could happen to the RM116.7 million after the police have completed investigations into it.
“We will decide on whether to take action in court or if not, under the anti-laundering act, it will be seized under civil forfeiture, if not, we will return it all,” he told reporters.
He said everything will be conducted based on evidence the police procured.