Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today claimed that Umno’s bank accounts for its national headquarters as well as Selangor chapter have been frozen by the MACC. — Picture by Ben Tan

JOHOR BARU, June 28 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen Umno’s bank accounts for its national headquarters as well as Selangor chapter.

Umno acting president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he received a call today regarding the move by the national anti-graft agency.

“It is almost certain that following this latest action, Johor Umno’s account will also be frozen.

“There is no guarantee that any of the Umno leaders from the ranks of the party’s supreme council, vice-presidents, deputy presidents and even the former Johor mentri besar will not be investigated by the MACC,” he said at a Johor Umno Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering at M Suites Hotel here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who will be contesting the Umno presidency this Saturday, said this at a Johor Umno Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering at M Suites Hotel here.

He was accompanied by Johor Umno chief and former state mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and other senior party members.

Over 1,000 Umno and party supporters attended the afternoon event.

The 65-year-old Bagan Datuk MP also reminded Umno members that even those who win the party’s election this time around risk being investigated by the MACC.

“This also included former mentri besar due to the fact that our party is no longer part of the ruling government,” said Ahmad Zahid.

Two days ago, the federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department said nobody from Umno had come forward to claim the RM116 million cash in 26 denominations seized from properties connected to former party president and prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Bukit Aman CCID director Datuk Seri Amar Singh Ishar Singh said the police have to record the statements of representatives from the political party on the matter as Umno needs to prove the validity of its claim.

Najib had last month said that the money seized by the police was meant for the party in the 14th general election.

Ahmad Zahid said in such testing times, only the strongest Umno members would remain loyal to the party no matter what happens.

He also claimed that the new home minister, within this short time, would request the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to cancel Umno’s registration.

Earlier, in his speech, Ahmad Zahid warned party delegates that they should not be influenced by money politics as such practices would destroy Umno.

“Umno must be strong now as it is not strange for the party to be in Opposition, as this was the case during its early years,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid explained that when Umno was formed in 1946 at Istana Besar here, members then were fighting for the country’s independence and opposed the British Empire, who wanted to introduce the Malayan Union.

“It is not impossible for Umno to rise and form the government again because this party has fought against the might of the British before,” he said.