KUALA LUMPUR: An Opposition MP has offered to organise a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for Bukit Aman CID director Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd's (pic) legal fees to reclaim funds in his Sydney bank account that have been frozen by Australian authorities.

Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Kulai) volunteered to organise a crowdfunding campaign to aid Comm Wan Ahmad's travel to Australia and engage lawyers to retrieve his money, on the condition he declared his assets publicly.

"He needs to prove that he really cannot afford (to pay for) the legal action and show us the necessary documents to prove the source of the funds," she told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Wednesday.

The Inspector-General of Police had said that Comm Wan Ahmad had considered the legal fees he would have to pay in any attempt to reclaim his money amounting to A$320,000 (RM970,000) before deciding that he would forfeit it.

"Of course, given the chance, he will want his money back. However, he believes the (legal) process might cost him more," said Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

Teo said it was important for Comm Wan Ahmad to declare his assets to clear his name.

"If the money seized by Australia is really meant for his children's education there, how are they going to continue their studies?" she asked.

The Sydney Morning Herald had reported that Comm Wan Ahmad, who was then Johor police chief, had entrusted the transfer of his money to a close friend, an Indian national named Seenisirajudeen Mohamad Basith, who has since returned to India.

A local daily reported that the MACC had begun an investigation into the funds deposited into Comm Wan Ahmad's Australian bank account after an unidentified whistleblower lodged a report on the matter on Monday (March 5).

The daily quoted MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki as saying that the complainant is protected under the Whistleblowers Protection Act and his identity could not be revealed.